High Court judge Justice Priscilla Chigumba has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Justice Chigumba replaces former chairperson, Justice Rita Makarau who quit her post as the boss of the electoral body in December last year, soon after the fall of former president Robert Mugabe in the military intervention launched by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF). Justice Makarau did not state the reasons for her abrupt departure, although critics opined that she had been pushed into resigning because of her close relationship to former president Robert Mugabe and the G40 Faction which was vanquished during Operation Restore Legacy.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa had publicly stated that he was specifically looking for a female judge to replace Makarau because the deputy chairperson is a man, in order to maintain balance. The letter of appointment which was written by the Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and the Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda.
31 January 2018
Mrs Justice P M Chigumba
Judge’s Chambers
High Court of Zimbabwe HARARE
ZIMBABWERE: APPOINTMENT AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
The above matter refers. His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, having consulted with the Judicial Service Commission and the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders has the pleasure to appoint you as the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission with immediate effect.
You will sworn-in as Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission at State House tomorrow as 10:00 hours.