Zimbabwe’s Judiciary Services Commission (JSC) is calling on members of the public to participate in a debate on the removal or retention of judicial wigs.
There has been ongoing debate worldwide on whether or not judicial wigs should be retained or removed as part of the official judicial attire and the transformation of the judiciary.
“These calls have now gained considerable traction and are now echoed in the Zimbabwean Judiciary. The Honorable Judges of the Superior Courts debated the subject matter at the end of the first term symposium held in April 2022 in Masvingo. It is on this basis that Chief Justice Luke Malaba, constituted the Judicial Wigs Committee to stir discussion and solicit the views and comments of all stakeholders in the justice delivery system and the public,” the JSC said in a statement Thursday.
The Commission said soliciting public opinion is part of concerted efforts to inform and direct public policy on the matter.
Respondents have up to Nov.3, 2022, to submit their contributions, the JSC said.
This week, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) challenged the continued wearing of wigs by judges in higher courts as outdated and intimidatory.
“The practice of wearing wigs by judges of the superior courts in Zimbabwe must be dropped as this is now outdated and not relevant,” said ZLHR.
“The wigs were introduced to Africa during colonial days. Most former British colonies that include Zimbabwe still have the practice of judges wearing wigs… This practice must be dropped to save money that could be reallocated for other necessary costs such as subsidizing the user fees,” the ZLHR said.
