MDC-T calls for AG appointment

The MDC-T has called on President Robert Mugabe to urgently separate the Attorney-General's Office from the Office of the Prosecutor-General in line with the provisions of the new Constitution and allow judicial independence.

The AG's office was created by the setting-up of an independent National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) after the adoption of a new Constitution.

But government has not yet appointed an Attorney-General to replace Johannes Tomana who now heads the PG's Office.

MDC-T secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs Fungai Jessie Majome challenged Mugabe to urgently fill the gap to avert a constitutional crisis.

The unconstitutional failure of the Head of State to date to appoint an Attorney-General in terms of section 114 of the Constitution compromises the independence and efficiency of the Prosecutor General who is the former Attorney General and illicitly doubles up as the Acting Attorney-General and the Prosecutor-General, Majome said.

It is no wonder that the Chief Justice (Godfrey Chidyausiku) has had to lament delays in criminal trials originating from the prosecution.

Mugabe has delayed making the appointment of the Attorney-General since May 2013 when he signed the new Constitution into law.