Attorney-General of Zimbabwe

The Office of the Attorney-General of Zimbabwe (AG) falls under the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of Zimbabwe. In November 2013, the prosecuting and government advisory roles of the Attorney-General were split under the new Constitution. The Attorney-General at that time, Johannes Tomana, became Prosecutor-General.[1] The Attorney-General is the chief legal advisor of the government of Zimbabwe and also sits as a member of the Senate.

The current Attorney-General since 2023 is Virginia Mabiza, the first woman to hold the position.[2][3]

History

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Ahmed Ebrahim, appointed by Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, was the first Attorney-General of Zimbabwe.[4]

In November 2013, the position was dissolved and replaced by the Prosecutor General of Zimbabwe. In February 2015, the office of Attorney-General was revived alongside the Prosecutor-General.[5]

List of attorneys-general

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No. Name Took office Left office Party Appointed by
1 Ahmed Ebrahim 1980 1982 ZANU–PF Canaan Banana
2 Godfrey Chidyausiku 1982 1989 ZANU–PF
3 Patrick Chinamasa 26 April 1989[6] 2000 ZANU–PF Robert Mugabe
4 Andrew Chigovera July 2000 April 2003 ZANU–PF
Bharat Patel
Acting
April 2003 2006
5 Sobusa Gula-Ndebele 2006 15 December 2007 ZANU–PF
Bharat Patel
Acting
May 2008 December 2008
6 Johannes Tomana 3 March 2009 November 2013 ZANU–PF
In November 2013, the office of Attorney-General was dissolved and replaced by the Prosecutor-General. In February 2015, the office of Attorney General was revived.
7 Prince Machaya February 2015 October 2023 ZANU–PF
Emmerson Mnangagwa
8 Virginia Mabhiza November 2023

List of prosecutors-general

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References

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  1. ^ "Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs". Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. ^ Chingwere, Mukudzei (28 September 2023). "President appoints first female Attorney General". The Herald. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  3. ^ Barwe, Reuben (6 November 2023). "New Attorney General Virginia Mabhiza sworn in". The Zimbabwean. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  4. ^ Compagnon, Daniel (6 June 2011). A Predictable Tragedy: Robert Mugabe and the Collapse of Zimbabwe. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 155. ISBN 978-0812200041.
  5. ^ "Mugabe appoints new Attorney General". Nehanda Radio. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  6. ^ Assembly, Zimbabwe Parliament House of (6 July 1989). Parliamentary Debates. order of the House of Assembly. p. 101.
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