Story by Peter Chivhima
AFTER 44 years of unwavering loyalty and dedication as a judicial officer, Justice David Mangota has retired, marking the conclusion of a remarkable career in the judiciary.
At a farewell dinner held in Harare on Thursday evening, Chief Justice Luke Malaba urged judges to uphold professionalism and commit themselves to Public service.
“As we celebrate this remarkable life, we acknowledge that the transformation of an individual is a key part of their mission,” Justice Malaba said.
“We are happy to support them on this journey, recognising that their service is a new chapter for us all. In our system, every person who accepts public office must adhere to the values, and principles that guide us, we do not compromise on these values, and we expect all those who serve to uphold them.”
In his parting words, Justice Mangota encouraged the upcoming judges to discharge themselves with integrity.
“I encourage the new crop of judges to remain humble, impartial, and transparent when discharging their duties, for the nation will be looking up to you for fairness, integrity, and justice,” he stated.
Also present was the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, who said the government will continue protecting the judicial officers.
“Our constitution is rooted in our collective consciousness, and it has been crafted to ensure that the judiciary remains independent and impartial,” Minister Ziyambi said.
“This means that we protect the people of the judiciary, including the officers, as they carry out their duties. Our constitutional framework prioritises the protection of the judiciary, ensuring that judges can operate freely and independently.
“As you may have noticed, our constitution makes it extremely difficult to remove a judge from office. If concerns arise about a judge’s ability, a formal inquiry is established with clear guidelines and conditions in place to guarantee the judge’s independence. This safeguard ensures that our judges remain impartial and unaffected by external pressures.”
The government is implementing a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing access to justice.
