Mnangagwa swears in new Zimbabwe Chief Justice

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday officially swore in Elizabeth Gwaunza as Zimbabwe's new Chief Justice during a ceremony held at State House in Harare.

Paddington Garwe was also sworn in as Deputy Chief Justice.

Gwaunza's appointment marks a historic milestone for Zimbabwe's judiciary, making her the country's first female Chief Justice after decades of male leadership at the apex court.

Several other senior officials also took their oaths of office during the ceremony, including Tsitsi Zhou as Deputy Minister of Lands and Rural Development and Vimbai Chikwenhere as the newly appointed Auditor-General.

In addition, Rugare Abigail Kangwe, Lioba Tendai Gunduza and Ernest Takeaway Manyau were sworn in as members of the Health Service Commission.

Speaking after taking her oath of office, Chief Justice Gwaunza urged judges and legal practitioners to uphold professionalism, ethics and integrity in the discharge of their duties.

"To the judges, just do your work the best way you know how," she said.

She also called on members of the judiciary and the legal profession to remain guided strictly by the law and professional ethics.

Responding to questions about allegations that Zimbabwe's judiciary is captured, Gwaunza said she was familiar with the system, having worked within it professionally for many years.

She urged judges not to be influenced by public opinion, stressing that judicial officers are not appointed to please people but to deliver fair judgments guided by conscience and the law.