Zimbabwe's chief justice contempt charge dismissed

A Zimbabwe High Court has dismissed a contempt of court case brought against Chief Justice Luke Malaba.

Mr Malaba is at the centre of a legal wrangle following last month’s court ruling that the president’s decision to extend his retirement age from 70 to 75 years was illegal.

The ruling effectively terminated the 70-year-old Mr Malaba's term.

He returned to work after the justice minister and attorney general appealed the ruling, prompting a human right lawyer to sue him for contempt, saying the 70 year old should be jailed for six months.

In May, parliament voted to amend the constitution to allow supreme and constitutional court judges the option of extending their terms to 75 years of age.

A high court ruled that the provision could not benefit sitting judges without going to a referendum. The appeal is yet to be heard.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP