Minister of Justice and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has resumed pushing for the controversial constitutional amendment bill. If the bill passes the appointment of the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and Judge President of the High Court will be left in the hands of the President. The bill seeks to remove public nominations and interviews for the candidates, something which has been welcomed as it promoted transparency in the appointments. The Vice President also contends that the current system is open to abuse from the outgoing Chief Justice who will be a member of the interview panel. Speaking in Parliament Mnangagwa said:
It (The Bill) will amend Section 180 of the Constitution by substituting Section 180 which provides for the appointment of judges.
The appointment procedure for all the judges will remain as it is except for the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President of the High Court.
It is proposed by this amendment that the three officers will be appointed by the President after consultation with the JSC. If the appointment of a Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice or Judge President of the High Court is not consistent with any recommendation made by the JSC during the course of the consultations, then the President will have to inform the Senate of that fact as soon as possible.
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