ED extends CJ Malaba’s tenure
STAFF WRITER
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s term of office by an additional five years.
This was after Malaba’s medical report proved that he is still mentally and physically fit to continue in the esteemed judicial office.
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda in a letter to Chief Justice Malaba confirmed this extension of the tenure of office.
“I am pleased to advise you that after consultation with the judicial Service Commision as required by the law, the President has in terms of Section 186 (1) of the Constitution accepted your election to continue in the office of Chief Justice beyond the age of 70 for an additional period of five years from May 16, 2021,” Sibanda wrote to the Chief Justice.
Chief Justice Malaba was appointed head of the judiciary on March, 27 2017, having been Acting Chief Justice since March 1 2016 following the retirement of the late Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku.
The extension of Malaba’s term has been subject of contest after NGOs launched an ambitious bid to stop President Mnangagwa from extending his term of office beyond May 15, 2020 when he reaches the retirement age of 70.
Malaba is the first beneficiary of the amendment of the Constitution which was signed into law by President Mnangagwa last week.
In his High Court application, NGO Forum Director Musa Kika said he was seeking that by midnight of 15 May, Malaba ceases to be Chief Justice and that his deputy Elizabeth Gwaunza takes over in an acting capacity until a substantive person is appointed.
