Chief Justice Malaba's Special Court Sitting
The Honourable Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda, SC, Chief Justice of the Republic of Malawi and Chairperson of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ Forum (SEACJF) on Thursday joined judicial leaders, government officials, members of the legal profession and distinguished guests in Harare, Zimbabwe, at a Special Court Sitting and, later in the evening, a farewell dinner held in honour of the retiring Chief Justice of Zimbabwe, Honourable Luke Malaba.
The Special Valedictory Session marked the conclusion of Chief Justice Malaba’s distinguished judicial career, celebrated for exceptional leadership, commitment to constitutionalism and contribution to the advancement of justice within Zimbabwe and across the region.
Speaking at the farewell dinner, Chief Justice Mzikamanda, SC, acknowledged the long-standing relationship between the Malawi Judiciary and the Judiciary of Zimbabwe, noting that benchmarking visits undertaken by Malawi had yielded valuable lessons that continue to benefit the administration of justice in Malawi.
Highlighting Chief Justice Malaba’s contribution to the SEACJF, Chief Justice Mzikamanda, SC, described Chief Justice Malaba as “an iconic and almost indispensable figure” within the Forum whose contributions have left “indelible marks” on the regional judicial body.
Chief Justice Mzikamanda, SC, highlighted Chief Justice Malaba’s influential role in strengthening judicial cooperation and advancing important regional judicial frameworks. He cited Chief Justice Malaba’s contribution towards the adoption of the Lilongwe Principles on Appointments and Selection of Judicial Officers in 2018, which seek to safeguard judicial independence, integrity and public confidence in the administration of justice.
He further commended Chief Justice Malaba for his instrumental role in the adoption of the Gaborone Principles and Guidelines on Judicial Financial Independence in Africa in October 2025, describing judicial financial autonomy as a cornerstone of judicial independence and effective administration of justice.
Chief Justice Mzikamanda, SC, also praised Chief Justice Malaba’s leadership in judicial innovation and technology, particularly Zimbabwe’s advancements in e-Justice and the use of Artificial Intelligence in the Judiciary, which he said had become an important example for judiciaries across the region.
“We all admired the progress made and are desirous of emulating the example in our jurisdictions,” said Chief Justice Mzikamanda, SC.
Chief Justice Peter Shivute of Namibia was also among the distinguished dignitaries present at the session.
Chief Justice Luke Malaba officially retired from office on 15 May 2026, leaving behind a legacy of judicial excellence, regional cooperation and transformative leadership that will continue to inspire generations of judicial officers across Africa.