Judges incompetent, says top lawyer

I’m not bragging … Muchadeyi Masunda

Masunda said the country used to have the strongest judiciary in the world but that this has since changed.

He was addressing a one-day workshop held recently in Harare and organised by National Peace Trust.

The workshop drew delegates from several African countries and was also attended by vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“Amongst the judges that we have, the majority of them have not practised law,” said Masunda.

“And it’s not the fault of the incumbents in these positions – whether they are the judges of the Constitutional, Supreme or High courts.

“It’s not their fault; it’s the system.”

Masunda added: “Because if you had not been trained and exposed to how the system works you won’t be able to discharge your mandate.

“The fact of the matter is I am not bragging, I have been an attorney and exposed to practise of law since 1974; I am one of the most senior legal practitioners in this country.

“So if you haven’t seen, touched it, experienced it, smelt it and you are being thrown at the deep end of the pool and you are expected to discharged your role effectively.”