shloboe boe
Nqobile Tshili, nqobile.tshili@chronicle.co.zw
CHIEF Justice Luke Malaba has denounced nepotism in the public service, labelling it as a form of corruption that promotes individualism, undermines service delivery and must be eradicated.
Speaking on Monday evening during a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) dinner in Bulawayo, Chief Justice Malaba stressed the detrimental impact of nepotism on governance.
He stated that individuals involved in nepotism have not risen to the level required by public office but remain fixated on personal connections, such as relatives, tribes, or shared surnames.
“That is the dilemma of today: the wrong people are occupying public offices. That is why we have corruption, as those people have not reached the level required by public office,” he said.
“That is the level of individualism, self-interest, selfishness, and that is the basis of corruption.”
Chief Justice Malaba warned that this form of individualism fosters selfishness and replaces public interest with personal gain.
“They are using public office not for its intended purpose but for their own benefit. This is the corruption we are talking about. So, how do we resolve it? How do we disentangle and correct this?” Chief Justice Malaba asked.
He urged the nation to reflect on solutions to address the issue, emphasising that public office holders must prioritise the law and the people they serve over personal interests.
He stated that individuals who occupy public office should rise above personal interests and serve the people as guided by the law.
Chief Justice Malaba expressed concern that individuals seconded based on favouritism often lack competence, as reflected in their poor performance.
He highlighted the need for a collective approach to building public confidence in the judiciary, aligning with the 2025 legal year theme: “Building public confidence in the judiciary through multi-stakeholder participation.”
“That is why we are now talking about collaboration and co-operation. We must move forward and deliver what the offices of the law demand of us as its agents,” he said.
Meanwhile, Masvingo will host the opening of the 2026 legal year, continuing the Judiciary Service Commission’s efforts to decentralise national events. This follows Bulawayo’s historic hosting of the event this year.
Judge President Justice Maria Zimba-Dube revealed that Masvingo will host the Chief Justice for the legal year opening as part of the commitment to spreading judicial services to all corners of the country.
“This is the shift that reflects the commitment of our Chief Justice to decentralising the judiciary and taking the legal system closer to the people. We are expecting to be in Masvingo next year for the opening of the legal year. This is a demonstration of the Chief Justice’s commitment to ensuring that judicial services reach every corner of the country,” she said.
“This significant development underscores the commitment to ensuring that the judiciary is not confined to the capital city of Harare but is actively present in every part of our great nation, Zimbabwe.”
Justice Zimba-Dube also emphasised the importance of collaboration in delivering a just and effective judicial system. — @nqotshili
