Vice President Kembo Mohadi has described the retirement of Chief Justice Luke Malaba as a defining moment to reflect on the enduring values of patriotism, discipline, sacrifice, and loyalty to national duty that continue to shape Zimbabwe’s institutional development trajectory.
Speaking as Guest of Honour during a dinner held in honour of Chief Justice Malaba, Vice President Mohadi said the distinguished legal career of the retiring Chief Justice stands as a testament to perseverance, commitment to justice, and unwavering service to the nation.
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Book NowThe Vice President welcomed delegates from across Zimbabwe and foreign jurisdictions, noting that such recognition reflected the regional and international respect earned by Chief Justice Malaba through decades of dedicated service in the judiciary.
Vice President Mohadi also paid tribute to the role played by the family, particularly Mrs Eunice Malaba, acknowledging that public service is never carried by an individual alone, but by families who endure and support the burden of national responsibility.
He said Chief Justice Malaba’s rise from the ranks of prosecutor to the highest office within the judiciary represented a journey built through consistency, discipline, and fidelity to duty, values which he said remain critical in building strong national institutions.
“The law is best served by discipline, learning and loyalty to responsibility,” said Vice President Mohadi, adding that the retiring Chief Justice had distinguished himself not only within Zimbabwe, but also in contributing to the broader regional legal order.
The Vice President underscored the centrality of the judiciary in safeguarding national stability, saying the rule of law remains one of the foundational pillars upon which development, peace, and institutional confidence are built.
He emphasized that justice delivery cannot be viewed as an isolated legal process, but as a strategic component of nation building and sustainable development. According to Vice President Mohadi, strong institutions inspire public trust, national unity, and orderly progress within society.
In remarks that strongly reaffirmed constitutional governance, Vice President Mohadi declared that the independence of the judiciary remains non negotiable, stressing the importance of maintaining balance among the three arms of the State to effectively serve the people of Zimbabwe.
“The justice sector must independently interpret the law freely and fairly,” he said.
Vice President Mohadi further commended Chief Justice Malaba for modernising the judiciary and bringing the courts closer to ordinary citizens through reforms that improved accessibility and efficiency.
Among the achievements highlighted was the Integrated Electronic Case Management System, which the Vice President described as a landmark innovation that placed technology at the centre of justice delivery in line with modern governance expectations.
“Chief Justice Malaba did not leave the judiciary as he found it. He leaves behind a more modernised and developed institution,” said Vice President Mohadi.
He also praised the retiring Chief Justice for investing in human capital development within the Judicial Service system through mentorship, leadership development, and institutional training.
Vice President Mohadi said the life and service of Chief Justice Malaba offer important lessons to those entrusted with public office, particularly the values of selflessness, resilience, and devotion to national progress.
“He arrived at this day brick by brick, step by step, and duty by duty,” he said, adding that the same philosophy must continue guiding Zimbabwe’s national development agenda under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2.
Drawing from the principle that “nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” Vice President Mohadi said the responsibility to build and strengthen Zimbabwe rests in the hands of patriotic citizens committed to service and institutional continuity.
He challenged those remaining within the Judicial Service system to ensure that the retirement of Chief Justice Malaba does not mark the end of progress, but rather the continuation of a legacy grounded in dignity, transparency, professionalism, and reliability.
“The work of Chief Justice Malaba continues in the hands of those who remain within the justice delivery system,” said Vice President Mohadi.
Concluding his remarks, the Vice President wished Chief Justice Malaba a peaceful and fulfilling retirement surrounded by family and the rewards of a lifetime dedicated to national service, while also thanking all those who contributed toward making the evening a success.
