Zimbabwe’s High Court Rules Against Chief Justice’s Term Extension

Reuters· Malaba turned 70 on Saturday. The court also said that
under Zimbabwe’s constitution, incumbent judges could not benefit
from a term extension. “In view of the decision that we have
reached, Hon. Malaba ceased being a judge and chief justice” on May
15, the judges said in a ruling.

Zimbabwe’s High Court ruled on Saturday that President Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s decision to extend the tenure of the country’s chief
justice by another five years was illegal as it violated the
constitution.

The High Court ruled that Luke Malaba ceased being chief justice
at midnight on Friday due to his age. The ruling by three judges
came after some lawyers challenged the move to extend Malaba’s time
in office by another five years.

The court said a constitutional amendment that raised the
retirement age of Constitutional and Supreme Court judges to 75
from 70 should have gone to a referendum to become a valid law.
Malaba turned 70 on Saturday.

The court also said that under Zimbabwe’s constitution,
incumbent judges could not benefit from a term extension. “In view
of the decision that we have reached, Hon. Malaba ceased being a
judge and chief justice” on May 15, the judges said in a
ruling.

Reuters· Malaba turned 70 on Saturday. The court also said that
under Zimbabwe’s constitution, incumbent judges could not benefit
from a term extension. “In view of the decision that we have
reached, Hon. Malaba ceased being a judge and chief justice” on May
15, the judges said in a ruling.

Zimbabwe’s High Court ruled on Saturday that President Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s decision to extend the tenure of the country’s chief
justice by another five years was illegal as it violated the
constitution.

The High Court ruled that Luke Malaba ceased being chief justice
at midnight on Friday due to his age. The ruling by three judges
came after some lawyers challenged the move to extend Malaba’s time
in office by another five years.

The court said a constitutional amendment that raised the
retirement age of Constitutional and Supreme Court judges to 75
from 70 should have gone to a referendum to become a valid law.
Malaba turned 70 on Saturday.

The court also said that under Zimbabwe’s constitution,
incumbent judges could not benefit from a term extension. “In view
of the decision that we have reached, Hon. Malaba ceased being a
judge and chief justice” on May 15, the judges said in a
ruling.