Mnangagwa gifts ex-CJ Malaba farming equipment after retirement

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has presented former Chief Justice Luke Malaba with an agricultural mechanisation package, less than a month after the country's top judge retired from office.

Malaba, who stepped down on May 14 after reaching the mandatory retirement age, was received at State House on Friday, where Mnangagwa handed over a package comprising a tractor, Nissan UD truck, boom sprayer and planter.

Announcing the presentation on his official social media platforms, Mnangagwa said the equipment was intended to recognise Malaba's long service to the judiciary and assist him as he transitions into retirement.

"It was my pleasure to welcome the recently retired Chief Justice, Luke Malaba, to State House today," Mnangagwa said.

"In recognition of his outstanding service spanning decades, unwavering commitment, and exemplary legal leadership within the Zimbabwean judiciary, I presented him with an agricultural mechanisation package to facilitate his transition into post-retirement life."

Malaba retired after serving as Chief Justice since 2017, overseeing Zimbabwe's highest courts during a period marked by significant constitutional and political developments.

His tenure was not without controversy, particularly following the enactment of Constitutional Amendment No. 2 in 2021.

Prior to the amendment, judges were required to retire at the age of 70. The constitutional changes allowed judges to remain in office for up to five additional years, subject to medical fitness and approval by the President.

The amendment was passed as Malaba approached retirement age, triggering legal challenges from critics who argued that the changes were specifically designed to extend his tenure and raised concerns about judicial independence.

The matter ultimately reached the Constitutional Court, which upheld the amendment and allowed Malaba to continue serving until his retirement in 2026.

During his time on the bench, Malaba presided over several high-profile constitutional and electoral cases that frequently placed the judiciary at the centre of national political debates.

His retirement has paved the way for Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza to take over leadership of the judiciary.

The agricultural mechanisation package presented on Friday is among the most significant public recognitions awarded to a retired senior judicial officer in recent years and is likely to attract public discussion given the longstanding debates surrounding judicial independence and executive influence.

Neither State House nor the judiciary immediately indicated whether the package formed part of an established retirement benefits framework for senior judges.