Chief Justice Malaba Retires

By Everisto Zhuwao

​The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) held a special sitting ceremony for retiring Chief Justice Luke Malaba at the Constitutional Court on Thursday, 14 May 2026, marking the formal end of his four-decade legal career.

The event, held at the Mashonganyika Building, was attended by top government officials and members of the legal fraternity to honour the outgoing head of the judiciary.

​Chief Justice Malaba’s retirement is in accordance with Section 186(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The law requires the Chief Justice to step down upon reaching the age of 70, unless they had previously elected to serve an additional five-year term.

​Speaking at the ceremony, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi praised the retiring Chief Justice for his dedication.

“We celebrate a legal titan who has dedicated over four decades of his life to the service of our nation’s justice system,” Minister Ziyambi said. He added that Malaba’s leadership helped transform the courts into modern and accessible institutions.

​The transition was described as a victory for the country’s legal framework. “This process is a testament to our adherence to the constitutional framework that governs our land,” Minister Ziyambi remarked, noting that it ensures the judiciary remains a stable pillar of democracy.

​Chief Justice Malaba began his journey in 1981 as a public prosecutor in Bulawayo. He rose through the ranks, becoming a magistrate in Masvingo in 1984 and a regional magistrate in 1990. His career on the bench of the superior courts began in 1994 when he was appointed a High Court judge.

​He was later elevated to the Supreme Court in 2001 and became Deputy Chief Justice in 2008. The late former President Robert Mugabe appointed him Chief Justice in 2017 to succeed Godfrey Chidyausiku.

​Minister Ziyambi concluded by wishing the jurist well in his next chapter. “The Chief Justice leaves behind a judiciary that is more technologically integrated and efficient than he found it. We thank him for his service and wish him a peaceful retirement,” the Minister said.