Chief Justice, Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, has reminded judges and court clerks that taking an oath of office is not a symbolic ritual but a constitutional requirement whose violation is equivalent to breaking the nation’s supreme law.
She delivered the message on Friday while presiding over the swearing-in of newly appointed judicial officials confirmed by the High Council of Justice. Although most of them were not new to the judiciary, Mukantaganzwa said the transition to higher responsibilities demanded renewed commitment and accountability.
“The reports I have indicate that none of you is new to this system,” she noted. “But the moment you take up a new role, you assume additional value and responsibility. That is why you must take the oath again. People often forget that the oath is enshrined in the Constitution. Breaking it means violating the Constitution itself.”
The Chief Justice underscored that judicial officials are entrusted with upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens, adding that the oath serves as a binding reminder of their constitutional mandate.
She also urged them to serve with integrity and impartiality. “Justice must be grounded in law, not emotions,” she said. “Wherever you are deployed, go as good ambassadors of justice, welcome citizens with respect, and carry out your duties in line with the law.”
Mukantaganzwa emphasized that the judiciary works as an interconnected system where each official, from clerks to senior judges, has a role in sustaining public trust. However, she stressed that fidelity to the constitutional oath is the foundation of their service.
