Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
JUDICIAL officers have been urged to uphold the highest standards of accountability, competence and ethical conduct to strengthen public confidence in Zimbabwe’s justice delivery system.
The call was made at the opening of the three-day Magistrates National Conference in Bulawayo this Friday.
Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza said judicial officers have a constitutional obligation to uphold the integrity of the justice system.
“Competence and constitutional values are not a matter of choice for a judicial officer. The magistrate is the face of justice, and every magistrate has a role to strengthen public confidence in the judicial system,” she said.
She also stressed that corruption has no place in the judiciary.
“There is no room for corruption in the judicial system. We must uphold our obligations as enforced by the code of ethics. Magistrates must uphold the standards of ethical conduct,” Chief Justice Gwaunza said.
Judicial officers reaffirmed their commitment to executing their duties with integrity and diligence.
“The justice system cannot function without us. We have a responsibility to respect our offices because they are holy offices,” Senior Judge-Bulawayo High Court, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi said.
The conference also highlighted judicial cooperation between Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“We have been working with Zimbabwe for years. We have a running MOU that we signed in 2024. It helps us learn from each other and build on each other’s strengths,” the Divisional Magistrate-Judiciary of Namibia said.
The three-day Magistrates National Conference is being held under the theme: “Competency, Wellbeing and Effective Justice Delivery in the Magistracy.”
