Paul Nyathi

Public interviews for Constitutional Court judges have been underway through the day on Monday and likely to stretch into the night at a hotel in Harare.

There judicial services commission received 13 nominations and successful candidates from the interviews will fill up the five available spots.

Chief Justice Luke Malaba is presiding over the interviews being conducted by the entire Judical Services Commissioners.

The Supreme Court and Constitutional Court benches were split in May this year in compliance to the 2013 constitution which stipulates the separation of personnel manning the two courts.

Initially, the Judicial Services Commission were supposed to hold these interviews in the first week of September but they postponed seeking to ensure that Covid-19 regulations are well adhered to.

Justices David George Bartlett (Rtd), Energy Chinembiri Bhunu, Donald Stevenson Corke, Paddington Shadreck Garwe, Anne-Mary Gowora, Ben Hlatshwayo, Charles Hungwe, Rita Tambudzai Makarau, Smart Mirirai, Bharat Patel, Happias Zhou and lawyer Arnold Tsunga were initially listed as applicants.

However, it has emerged that Justice Donald Stevenson Corke is out of the country and will not be able to attend the interview, while Justice Charles Hungwe is also said to have pulled out of the race.

The bench will be comprised of seven judges, Chief Justice Luke Malaba and his deputy Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza who have automatic seats as per regulations as well those who will emerge successful from the ongoing process.