Online Reporter
Court Reporter
WHEN the High Court heard an urgent chamber application seeking to interdict Women’s Bank chairman Ruth Makombe from acting against a magistrate’s court order not to interfere with the duties of the chief executive officer, it ruled that only the Labour Court could consider whether to block an internal hearing at the bank.
The High Court ruled it lacked jurisdiction, since the matter falls under labour law.
The Women’s Bank, established and licenced by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, was officially launched in 2018 by President Mnangagwa, with Dr Mandas Marikanda appointed as the chief executive officer.
In March 2025, a new board was appointed, chaired by Ms Makombe, who had also applied for the CEO position, but was passed over in favour of Dr Marikanda, the lead candidate.
Dr Marikanda filed an urgent application with the High Court, seeking to enforce a magistrate’s court order that instructed Ms Makombe to cease interfering with the CEO’s duties and focus on corporate governance.
The application sought to protect Dr Marikanda’s rights, which she argued were at risk of being infringed by Ms Makombe presiding over a hearing at the bank.
The High Court ruled it did not have jurisdiction to halt the hearing process, stating the matter must be addressed by the Labour Court.
In her affidavit, Dr Marikanda expressed readiness to proceed with the hearing under any officer except Ms Makombe, citing a strained working relationship.
