Harare, (New Ziana) – The government said on Tuesday it respected and believed in the independence of the judiciary as “a dependable interpreter of the law.”

This follows a recent outburst by Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi who accused the judiciary of being captured following a High Court ruling that blocked government from extending the tenure of Chief Justice Luke Malaba by five years.

“The situation now in this country is that there is a risk of judicial capture where the Judiciary has been captured by certain elements both within and outside Zimbabwe who want to destabilise the Second Republic,” Ziyambi said at the weekend after the ruling.

Government has since appealed against the ruling at the Supreme Court.

However, Ziyambi’s criticism, in which he claimed he had evidence some judges had been bought, ruffled feathers.

Ministry of Justice Secretary Virgina Mabhiza said government respected the High Court’s ruling although it did not agree with its findings in the case.

“The Government of Zimbabwe strongly believes in the independence of the judiciary and respects the principles of separation of power as set out in the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” she said.

“The Government of Zimbabwe therefore recognises the importance of the judiciary as a dependable interpreter of the law where various opinions may arise.”

Lawyers in the case said on Monday they had written to the Judicial Services Commission, Judge President and Registrar of the High Court reporting the Justice Minister for contempt of court.

In criticising the High Court decision, Ziyambi claimed to have evidence which he was going to use “to expose” some High Court judges whom he said “were not dispensing justice according to what they are supposed to be doing.”
New Ziana