High Court judges demand new regalia

HIGH COURT judges are demanding new court robes and other professional regalia as the garments they are using are old and worn out second-hand items inherited from long-retired judges.

In a memorandum gleaned by NewsDay and addressed to judge President George Chiweshe, the judges presented several concerns which they intended to discuss with the Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku.

"Most judges do not have appropriate court regalia. They have to make do with second-hand clothing handed down from retired judges over the years. This is disgraceful considering that the cost of such regalia is negligible," reads part of the memo.

The judges said their conditions of service were poor and not commensurate with their top positions.

Their security was compromised as access to their chambers by the public was too easy.

"Members of the public have easy, poorly monitored access to judges' chambers, thereby posing a serious security risk to judges. There is urgent need to engage the security personnel to see how security of judges and the work place in general can be boosted," the memo reads.

Another of the judges' concerns is the failure by Treasury to provide them with vehicles.

"Judges' conditions of service in this respect are being violated right, left and centre. They need this issue to be redressed once and for all as a matter of urgency," reads the memo.

The judges also put up for discussion issues to do with the provision of newer computers and Internet connectivity, updated library, office and parking space, salary adjustment and other trappings that should come along with the office of judges.