The Chief Justice of Zimbabwe, Luke Malaba, has officially inaugurated the 2025 legal year, with Bulawayo hosting the main ceremony for the first time, in alignment with the Government’s devolution policy. The theme for 2025 is “Building Public Confidence in the Judiciary Through Stakeholder Participation.”
This marks the first time the event has been held outside Harare, reflecting a shift towards greater inclusivity and decentralization in the judiciary. The move is in line with the Government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the Second Republic’s commitment to devolution.
During the opening ceremony in Bulawayo, Chief Justice Malaba emphasized the importance of the National Council on Administration of the Criminal Justice System, which aims to speed up criminal trials and improve collaboration among stakeholders in the justice system.
He called for enhanced cooperation, stressing that the judiciary alone cannot build public trust without the active involvement of all parties within the criminal justice system.
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Chief Justice Malaba also reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to accountability, pointing out that the performance of courts and judicial officers is closely monitored through the Judicial Service Commission’s performance management system.
“Achieving this goal requires a collective effort to uphold our constitutional duties related to the administration of justice,” he said. “The participation and collaboration of all stakeholders are vital to building trust in the judiciary.”
He also underscored the importance of judicial conduct, stating that misconduct within the judiciary, if unaddressed, could severely erode public trust in the justice system.
