By Staff Writer
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa Tuesday appointed a tribunal to probe suspended Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Martin Makonese fitness to continue to hold office.
The tribunal will be chaired by the retired judge Justice Simbi Mubako, while Justice Ministry permanent Secretary, Virginia Mabhiza and Gift Manyatera and Sarah Moyo will be part of the panel.
In an update Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary, Nick Mangwana confirmed that the tribunal was sworn in.
“The President is swearing in members of the tribunal that will look into the fitness of Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Martin Makonese, to hold office.
“Makonese has been suspended pending the finalisation of the investigation, which is the standard procedure once a tribunal is set up.
“The complaint against the judge followed an order he issued in a coal mine dispute in which he allegedly had a financial interest. Allegations arose when he allegedly made the order without an application made before him, and without the knowledge of lawyers of the two other parties in the dispute.
“The dispute over a coal mine in Hwange pits a company called Philcool Investments, who were the applicants, and two others called Hwange Coal Gasification and Taiyuan Sanxing, who were the respondents during the hearing purportedly held on October 12 last year. Reports indicate that there is serious doubt that the hearing took place,” he said.
As a result ,Justice Makonese’s order gave Philcool the relief sought, including ordering the other two parties to abandon operations pending court applications.
The tribunal has five months to complete the probe from the date of taking oaths before the President.
