RETIRED Chief Justice Luke Malaba Thursday defended Zimbabwe’s judiciary against persistent allegations of political interference and corruption, saying public confidence in the justice system can only be strengthened through evidence-based complaints and decisive action against misconduct.
Speaking to journalists after his retirement ceremony Thursday, Malaba said allegations of judicial capture were not unique to Zimbabwe and had existed globally for decades.
“It’s not a Zimbabwean issue,” Malaba said.
“There is always this problem, and I think it’s natural.”
He said perceptions of interference stem from the very principle of separation of powers, which exists to guard against undue influence from the executive or legislature.
“You can never have a judiciary that is so independent as not to be perceived to be interfered with,” he said.
“The important thing is to adopt measures that will address that and make people believe in the truth about the judiciary.”
Malaba acknowledged that some judicial officers had been removed for misconduct over the years, insisting the judiciary acted whenever there was proof of wrongdoing.
“If we discover this person and there is evidence and so on, we act,” he said.
“If the judges can be approached, then they must be removed.”
The outgoing Chief Justice said many complaints circulating on social media were often rooted in misunderstandings of legal procedures rather than corruption.
“What we have discovered quite often is that all this has happened because of a misunderstanding. Someone would have acted according to the law, but because it is not what this person wants, they create a story around it.”
He urged citizens to use formal complaint channels instead of rushing to social media.
“Come up with your complaint, come to the Chief Justice, write to the secretary,” Malaba said.
“We investigate all the cases.”
Malaba also called for stronger public education on judicial processes and responsible reporting by the media.
“People have a right to complain. Produce the evidence and bring the facts.”
The veteran jurist retired after years at the helm of the judiciary, with his tenure marked by judicial reforms, digitisation of courts and fierce public debate over the independence of Zimbabwe’s justice system.
