Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza is a pioneering Zimbabwean jurist who currently serves as the Deputy Chief Justice of Zimbabwe. A trailblazer for women in the legal profession, she was among the first black women to qualify as a lawyer in the country and has held high-ranking positions both domestically and internationally.
Personal Profile
-
Full Name: Elizabeth Chiedza Gwaunza
-
Born: 15 June 1953 (Zimbabwe)
-
Nationality: Zimbabwean
-
Occupation: Judge and Legal Practitioner
-
Years Active: 1987–Present
Education & Academic Background
Justice Gwaunza’s academic career is marked by a focus on gender rights and legislative framework.
-
LLB (Bachelor of Laws): University of Zimbabwe. She made history as one of the first two black women to graduate with a law degree in post-independence Zimbabwe.
-
Master of Arts (Women and Gender Development): Women’s University in Africa.
-
Diplomas:
-
Women’s Law (Women’s Law Centre, University of Zimbabwe)
-
Legislative Drafting
-
Adult Education
-
Career & Key Positions
Justice Gwaunza’s career spans over three decades, moving from grassroots legal activism to the highest courts in the land.
| Period | Position / Organization |
| 1987 | Admitted as a Legal Practitioner of the High Court of Zimbabwe. |
| 1989–1995 | Co-founder and National Coordinator, Women and Law in Southern Africa Research Project (WLSA). |
| Pre-1998 | Served as Director of Legal Affairs (Ministry of Community Development and Women’s Affairs) and Director of Legal Aid (Ministry of Justice). |
| 1998–2002 | Judge of the High Court of Zimbabwe. |
| 2002–2018 | Justice of the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe. |
| 2008–2013 | Ad litem Judge, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). |
| 2018–Present | Deputy Chief Justice of Zimbabwe (Sworn in March 29, 2018). |
| 2021 | Appointed Acting Chief Justice by the Judicial Service Commission (May 15). |
Major Achievements & Impact
-
Judicial Firsts: She is the first woman in Zimbabwe’s history to be appointed as the Deputy Chief Justice.
-
International Jurisprudence: Her appointment to the ICTY made her one of the few Zimbabwean judges to serve on an international criminal tribunal, contributing to global justice regarding the Balkans conflict.
-
Advocacy: She is a founding member and past president of the Zimbabwe Association of Women Judges and maintains membership in the International Association of Women Judges.
Controversies & Public Record
-
ICTY Election (2008): Her election to the international tribunal was scrutinized by the International Bar Association. Concerns were raised regarding potential links to the ZANU-PF government, specifically involving the allocation of a farm during the land reform program.
-
Farm Mechanisation Scheme (2007): In July 2020, reports identified her as a beneficiary of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Farm Mechanisation Scheme, totaling approximately US$62,534.
Personal Life
Justice Gwaunza is married and had two children. Her son, Musah Gwaunza, a prominent journalist, tragically passed away in 2016 at the age of 33. She also has one daughter.
