Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
Six newly appointed Labour Court judges were sworn into office yesterday during a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Luke Malaba at the Constitutional Court in Harare.
President Mnangagwa appointed the judges — Justices Rodin Mzyece, Evidence Gonesi, Motion Jaravani, Clever Garikai Tsikwa, Garudzo Ziyaduma and Bianca Makwande — who took their oath of office before the Chief Justice.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, the judges pledged to uphold justice and the rule of law in their new roles.
Justice Clever Tsikwa, who served as a magistrate for over 28 years — 15 of them as a regional magistrate — said his appointment was a vote of confidence from the appointing authorities.
“I feel so excited. I am on cloud nine to be appointed a judge of the Labour Court. It shows that the appointing authority has confidence in me, and I will ensure I do not let them down,” he said.
Justice Makwande, a seasoned magistrate with close to two decades of experience, described her new role as an opportunity to serve in a new space where both employers’ and employees’ rights are protected.
Justice Mzyece outlined his wide-ranging experience, beginning as a secondary school teacher before studying law.
He later served as a magistrate for nearly 21 years before moving into private practice.
He also worked as a corporate secretary for the National Employment Council (NEC) for the Grain Marketing Industry, where he represented employers in labour matters.
“So, I have gone through the mill in terms of labour issues, because I have been an employee, I have represented the employer, I have represented employees,” he said.
“Because I have the experience in all spheres, I am going to bring a balanced perspective on the bench because I have been through different spheres.”
Justice Ziyaduma drew from his background as a public prosecutor, where he served for nearly a decade, saying the experience had prepared him for the Labour Court bench.
“I have been in the prosecution service for quite some time, and the wealth of experience that comes through litigating on behalf of the State will come in handy even as I become a judge of the Labour Court.
“I am of the view that I will bring significant changes, especially in judgment writing and bring new perspectives.”
He also expressed hope of contributing to legal scholarship through writing and research.
Justice Gonesi, who also has more than 15 years of experience in legal practice, promised to carry out her work impartially and diligently.
“I will work very hard to ensure that I do justice without fear or prejudice in accordance with the law,” she said.
Judicial Service Commission Secretary Mr Walter Chikwana confirmed that with these appointments, the Labour Court now has 14 judges.
The new appointments are expected to improve efficiency in handling labour disputes across the country.
