Bill to amend the Constitution to allow President to pick Chief Justice set in motion
The Bill to amend the new Consitution was set in motion yesterday when Assistant Clerk of Parliament Mr Johane Gandiwa invited comments from the public on the new bill. The bill seeks to give the President the power to appoint the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President without waiting for a shortlist of candidates from the Judicial Services Commission.
Mr Gandiwa said the public should submit comments on the Bill. He also said that public hearings on the bill will be held on dates to be advised.
Said Mr Gandiwa:
In compliance with this peremptory constitutional provision, and as part of public consultations meant to enhance participatory democracy, Parliament of Zimbabwe is inviting comments on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 1 Bill, HB1, 2017, for consideration by the relevant Committee(s).
Comments must be submitted to the following e-mail address: bills@parlzim.gov.zw or to Parliament of Zimbabwe Corner Third Street and Kwame Nkrumah, PO Box CY 298, Causeway, Harare, on or before Friday, 24 March 2017.
The appointment of the Chief Justice to take over from Godfrey Chidyausiku has generated debate and controversy over the Executive’s decision to change the process and the constitution.
More: Herald
