Via: CGTN Africa

Zimbabwe’s High Court on Saturday (16/05) ruled that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s controversial extension of tenure of the country’s top judge is illegal. Mnangagwa announced last week that he had extended Luke Malaba’s term of office by five years, just hours before the Chief Justice was to due to retire, a move seen as aimed at consolidating the president’s power. Three high court judges sat through Friday night (15/05) as lawyers argued over the legality of the extension. The court ruled on Saturday that “Malaba ceased being a judge and Chief Justice of Zimbabwe at 0000hrs on 15 May 2021”. Malaba has been accused of favouring Mnangagwa’s administration. He dismissed opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s presidential election petition following the 2018 vote.

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