Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
THREE Labour Court judges have been elevated to the High Court and were sworn in yesterday by Chief Justice Luke Malaba.
The newly appointed judges are Lawrence Masimba Murasi, Doreen Lilian Hove and Custom Kachambwa.
Speaking after the ceremony at the Constitutional Court, Judicial Service Commission secretary Mr Walter Chikwanha said the appointments were meant to boost numbers and address urgent gaps as the judiciary expands.
“These judges are coming in to add numbers. As indicated by the Chief Justice during the opening of the legal year, we are establishing new High Court stations, particularly in Kwekwe, which is expected to open within the next two to three months,.”
He said resident High Court judges were set to be posted to Gwanda before the end of the year, creating further demand for judicial officers.
“We need judges who can be deployed to these stations. Ordinarily, other stations such as Chinhoyi, Mutare and Masvingo have about two judges each, so we are looking at a similar arrangement for Kwekwe and eventually Gwanda,” said Mr Chikwanha.
He clarified that the current recruitment was not due to brain drain but an urgent intervention to meet expansion needs.
Zimbabwe currently has about 80 judges, a figure that has remained largely unchanged despite significant population growth.
“Our numbers are still very low. The population has grown phenomenally, but the bench has not increased. There is a big need to expand both the number of judges and magistrates to ease pressure on the justice delivery system,” he said.
Justice Murasi pledged efficiency and fairness, drawing from his extensive experience within the justice system.
“I can promise efficient and fair justice without fear or favour. I joined the Judicial Service Commission in 1984 and have served in various capacities, including prosecution, legal policy, and the Labour Court,” he said.
Justice Hove, who has served as a Labour Court judge for over two decades, said she was ready to take on the new responsibilities.
“This is a new role with new challenges, but I am committed to ensuring fairness in my court. Everyone will be treated equally under the law,” she said.
Justice Kachambwa expressed gratitude for his appointment, noting his long service in Government, including roles in the Attorney-General’s Office and as Director of Legal Advice.
“I am elated by this appointment and will continue to dispense justice diligently as I have done throughout my career,” he said.
The appointments come as the judiciary intensifies efforts to decentralise services and improve access to justice across the country.
