President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to swear in Acting Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi as Zimbabwe’s substantive Prosecutor-General. Hodzi, who had been serving as Acting PG for almost a year, will take oath of office tomorrow at State House in Harare.
Hodzi came 6th during the public interviews held by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in November last year. The JSC submitted the names of the top three performers to Mnangagwa for consideration as required by the Constitution. Former principal law officer Calvin Mantsebo came first with former student activist Tinomudaishe Chinyoka and president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe Misheck Hogwe coming second and third respectively. When contacted by The Independent, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Virginia Mabiza confirmed Mnangagwa had asked for new names.
There were reports by some sections of the media that the names of the top three performers in the public interviews held last year were rejected by Mnangagwa as Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Virginia Mabiza preferred Hodzi. Sources who spoke to The Independent said Mnangagwa ruled out Mantsebo on the basis that very little was known about him, while Chinyoka was discredited for his previous association with the opposition MDC. Mnangagwa’s reservations about Mantsebo and Chinyoka effectively meant Hogwe would be the automatic choice, but influential senior officials from the Justice ministry opposed his appointment.
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