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Official opening of the Legal year 2010: speech delivered by Justice Rita Makarau
High Court of Zimbabwe
March 08, 2010

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Mr Anderson, The Minister Of Justice and legal Affairs, The Mayor of the City of Harare. Distinguished invited guests. Ladies and Gentleman.

We are gathered here once again to mark the beginning of the legal year for the year 2010. When we last gathered here, the Government of National Unity was not yet a reality and I recall us in the judiciary using the occasion of the official opening of the legal year 2009 to add our voice to all those who were urging the three principals to come together and work together for the good of the people of Zimbabwe, which they did the following month. We do not for once believe that our voice was heard at all beyond this courtroom but we are glad that the Government of National Unity is now a reality for it has ushered in a revitalized era for us in the judiciary and we believe for the rest of the nation.

We were also excited to note that in Article XI of the Global Political Agreement that created the Government of National Unity, the three parties reinstated a fundamental principal that guides and guards our democracy, that it is the duty of all political parties and individuals to respect the Constitution and other laws of the land and to adhere to the principles of the rule of law.

We are heartened to know that our interpretation of the Constitution and the laws of the land will be respected by all parties to the agreement and by all individuals. We expect the three political parties to lead by example.

We are also confident that as part of adhering to the principles of the rule of law, the three political parties and the Government of National Unity will do all that is in their respective powers to uphold the principles of the independence of the judiciary for there can be no rule of law without an independent judiciary. We wait eagerly to be informed of or to be consulted on the programs if any, that the Government of National Unity will unfold to give content and expression to the provisions of this Article.

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