Zimbabwe Appoints First Female Chief Justice

Colleta Bell

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza as Zimbabwe’s new Chief Justice, making her the first woman to hold the country’s top judicial post.

The appointment was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. Martin Rushwaya. Justice Paddington Garwe was also appointed Deputy Chief Justice. Both appointments take effect on May 15, 2026.

Justice Gwaunza succeeds the outgoing Chief Justice Luke Malaba and will now lead both the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court.

Her appointment marks a significant development in Zimbabwe’s judiciary, where women have previously served as senior judges but had not occupied the office of Chief Justice.

Before her appointment, Justice Gwaunza served as Deputy Chief Justice and has been part of the Supreme Court bench since 2005.

Meanwhile Justice Garwe, who becomes Deputy Chief Justice, has served as a Supreme Court judge since 2007 and has presided over a number of commercial and constitutional law cases.

Under Zimbabwe’s Constitution, the President appoints the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission.

Government is yet to announce the date for the swearing-in ceremony.