Malaba Urges Proper Governance in Farewell Address

Retired Chief Justice Luke Malaba called for governance that serves all citizens and praised inter-branch cooperation as he delivered the vote of thanks at his retirement ceremony.

Speaking at a special sitting of the Constitutional Court, Malaba said the rule of law requires leaders to govern properly and create conditions for others to thrive.

Malaba said he leaves a vision of a Zimbabwe that all citizens can be proud to belong to, built on revolution, reform and adding value to people’s lives. He said he was proud to have lived and worked in government until his retirement

“Let us have a vision of a Zimbabwe where we can all be proud to belong. The vision of a revolution, the vision of reform, the vision of adding value to the lives of the people,” Malaba said.

He noted there is no rulebook defining what a Chief Justice should do, saying it falls to the person in office to create and innovate. Malaba said creation is only possible when those in power allow it and respect the judiciary’s role.

“There are no rules, there is no definition of what a Chief Justice should do. It is that person who is in an office of a Chief Justice who must create,” he said.

Malaba credited the executive and legislative arms for allowing the judiciary to operate independently. He said the progress was not his achievement alone but the result of many in government.

“The three arms of government have worked marvelously allowing the judiciary to pursue independently what is best for the country. It is a journey by many people in government,” he said.