Electoral Court judges’ tenure extended

JSC chairperson and Chief Justice Luke Malaba made the announcement on Friday last week in a Government Gazette.

THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has extended the tenure of High Court judges who were appointed to the Electoral Court in June this year.

The tenure has been extended to June 2024. The JSC also appointed 12 magistrates across the country to arbitrate in electoral disputes.

JSC chairperson and Chief Justice Luke Malaba made the announcement on Friday last week in a Government Gazette.

“It is hereby notified that the Chief Justice has, in terms of section 162(1) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission and the Judge President of the High Court, extended the appointment of Judges of the High Court listed under General Notice 970 of 2023, in the Government Gazette, dated 2nd June, 2023, to be Judges of the Electoral Court Division of the High Court from 31st December, 2023 to the 30th of June, 2024,” read the statutory instrument.

The appointed judges are justices Maria Dube (Judge President), Garainesu Mawadze, Happias Zhou, Joseph Mafusire, David Mangota, Maxwell Takuva, Amy Tsanga, Nokuthula Moyo, Esther Muremba, Davison Moses Foroma, Tawanda Chitapi, Nyaradzo Munangati-Manongwa, Phildah Muzofa, Isaac Muzenda and Neville Wamambo.

The others are Justices Sylvia Chirawu-Mugomba, Benjamin Chikowero, Pisirai Kwenda, Jacob Manzunzu, Evangelista Kabasa, Christopher Dube-Banda, Siyabona Musithu, Sunsley Zisengwe, Webster Chinamora, Gladys Mhuri, Emilia Muchawa, Fatima Maxwell, Rodgers Manyangadze, Joseph Chilimbe, Cathrine Bachi-Muzawazi, Bongani Ndlovu, Samuel Deme, Munamato Mutevedzi, Never Katiyo and Lucie-Annie Mungwari.

The JSC also appointed magistrates Learnmore Mapiye, Dennis Mangosi, Priviledge Rangarirai Gakanje, Tafadzwa Taurai Miti, Batanai Madzingira, Sangster Tavengwa, Progress Murandu, Amanda Nkosinathi Ndlovu, Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe, Charity Maphosa, Takudzwa Gwazemba and Vavariro Gabi to deal with politically-motivated violence and intimidation cases.

 The judges hear electoral petitions, while the magistrates, who have been drawn from all the 10 provinces, will deal with politically-motivated violence cases.

The judges and magistrates continue with their normal work, but should a case arise which concerns the elections, the nearest or other most appropriate presiding officer adjourns their normal work and promptly moves to preside over the election issue.

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