President Emmerson Mnangagwa has begun formal proceedings to establish a tribunal to investigate High Court Judge Justice Never Katiyo, following a recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) amid growing concerns over judicial misconduct.
The move follows a series of controversies involving Justice Katiyo, who has been accused of issuing a fictitious judgment and committing serious procedural breaches in politically sensitive cases.
Attorney General Virginia Mabiza confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, saying all preliminary legal steps had been completed in accordance with the Constitution.
“Following a recommendation from the Judicial Service Commission in terms of Section 187 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, the President, has initiated the process to establish a tribunal to inquire into the question of the removal from office of High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Never Katiyo,” Mabiza said.
She added that the Law Society of Zimbabwe had been invited to nominate legal practitioners for possible appointment to the tribunal.
Justice Katiyo’s judicial troubles have deepened in recent months following two high-profile incidents that have drawn widespread criticism within legal circles.
In July 2025, the judge handed down a fabricated ruling in a property dispute between Bulgarian firm Technoimpex JSC and a local company — a judgment that falsely recorded that a hearing had taken place and that prominent advocate Thabani Mpofu had represented one of the parties.
Mpofu publicly denied ever participating in the case, prompting Justice Katiyo to take the unprecedented step of rescinding his own ruling, admitting it had been “erroneously issued.” The withdrawal, dated August 7, 2025, raised serious questions about judicial integrity and accountability.
Barely a week later, the judge came under renewed scrutiny after granting the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) leave to appeal in a politically charged case before the legal deadline for opposition submissions had expired — a move lawyers described as “a blatant violation of court procedure.”
The case involved opposition politician Maureen Kademaunga and others acquitted in 2024 of allegedly assaulting Zanu PF supporters. Justice Katiyo granted the NPA’s application just four days after it was filed, despite respondents having until August 20 to respond.
Legal practitioners condemned the ruling as procedurally flawed and prejudicial to the respondents, urging that it be rescinded under Rule 29(1)(a) of the High Court Rules.
A senior Harare lawyer, who declined to be named, said Justice Katiyo’s record of “serial blunders and disregard for procedure” had become untenable.
“Once is an error; twice is a trend. Confidence in the judiciary depends on the integrity and diligence of those who serve on the bench,” the lawyer remarked.
Justice Katiyo was appointed to the bench by President Mnangagwa in 2021, despite reports that he had performed poorly during Judicial Service Commission public interviews.
