Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-Various politicians and law experts have positively accepted the appointment of Justice Luke Malaba to the position of Chief Justice by President Mugabe hailing it as a victory for the rule of law.
The conclusion of the Chief Justice appointment brings to an end an acrimonious battle between the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) and a suspected plot by a section of ZANU PF politicians to have all appointment powers vested in the President and a removal of the public interviews constitutionally done by the JSC.
The challenge fronted by a University of Zimbabwe law student Romeo Zibani filed multiple cases against the progress of the appointment derailing the whole process and revealing a new facet to the factional politics at play in ZANU PF.
Speaking on social media Professor Jonathan Moyo said the appointment was a victory for the rule of law.
“Malaba appointed Chief Justice”. A great appointment by Pres Mugabe & a victory for the Rule of Law!
Lawyer and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tendai Biti also hailed Malaba’s appointment though he also spied a conspiracy in the appointment.
“Congratulations to Chief Justice Malaba. A deserved &well-earned appointment .We now look foward to a new genre of progressive jurisprudence”.
“Make no mistake the appointment though correct & proper is a factional blow against Lacoste .Mugabe is at it again”, he said.
MDC-T Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora added his voice to the conspiracy about Mugabe conspiring against VP Mnangagwa.
“The appointment of Malaba as CJ most welcome. Puts paid Mnangagwa’s attempts to militarise the office!’
Law expert and former advisor to Morgan Tsvangirai Dr Alex Magaisa saw the appointment as a victory for the right man.
“My reasoning was simple: If he’s good enough to be acting CJ and deputy CJ why couldn’t he be the CJ?”
“That was the whole point of public interviews. Create a scenario in public view where the best candidate gets the job”.
“That is the natural process whichever way. The President appoints from a list of candidates shortlisted by the JSC”, he said.
Journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu weighed by hailing the appointment as a direct quashing of the plot to have Justice George Chiweshe.
“I am happy the best man has won. The attempts to smuggle in Chiweshe were quite transparently corrupt, and evil”, he said.
Justice Malaba succeeds former Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku who reached the retirement age of 70 in February.
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