By Paidashe Mandivengerei
Zimbabwean judges will no longer be appointed or awarded posts in a higher court through interviews conducted by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) but will be selected by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the government has said.
The retirement age for judges is now 70 years.
The supreme and constitutional court judges, chief justice and his deputy can have contracts renewed annually if they are fit enough to stay in office.
Previously judges were considered part of the Civil Service Commission and retired at 65 years.
Addressing journalists at a post-cabinet briefing yesterday (Tuesday) the president will appoint judges on JSC recommendation.
“Under Section 180 of a subsection allowing the President, upon recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, to appoint a sitting judge to be the judge of a higher court wherever a vacancy at such a court arises;
Appointment of judges of the Constitutional Court for a non-renewable term of not more than fifteen years, who may also be appointed as judges of the Supreme Court or High Court if they are eligible for such appointment, after completion of their term;
that the retirement age for judges of the High Court, Labour Court and any other judges will be seventy years;
that the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice, and judges of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts will hold office until they reach the age of seventy years, and thereafter may have their contracts renewed annually, upon production of a medical fitness certificate, for a period not exceeding five years;
Insertion of a new section in the Constitution after Section 204, to include the appointment of the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet and his or her deputies by the President, in consultation with the Civil Service Commission, whose terms and conditions of service shall be as fixed by the President;
Appointment of the Public Protector and Deputy Public Protector by the President, after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission and the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders; and appointment of a Prosecutor-General.”