The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe has extended the service of Chief Justice Luke Malaba for a period of five years, pursuant to the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Act No. 2 passed in April 2021, and signed into law by the President on May 7, 2021, and based on annual medical reports proving that he is still mentally and physically fit to continue to hold office as Chief Justice.

This extension comes after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission as required by law, and pursuant to Article 186 (1) of the Constitution, which grants the Chief Justice beyond the age of 70 an additional five years from May 16, 2021.

Chief Justice Malaba turned 70 on May 15, 2021, and was scheduled to retire under the provisions of the original 2013 Constitution.

The new amended law allows judges to continue to serve on the bench until they reach the age of 75 if they are deemed still in good health.

Chief Justice Malaba was appointed chief justice in March 2017 following the retirement of the late Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku.

It should be noted that the Chief Justice of Zimbabwe presides over the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court and the latter is a member of the CJCA, since April 2017.