Godfrey Chidyausiku

Chief Justice of Zimbabwe:

Godfrey Guwa Chidyausiku (born February 23, 1947) is a Zimbabwean judge and former politician. He was involved in politics during Rhodesia’s unilaterally declared independence, being a member of the Rhodesia House of Assembly. After Zimbabwean independence he was elected as a Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) member to the Zimbabwe House of Assembly, and served in the government as Attorney-General. After becoming a Judge he headed the Constitutional Convention in 1999, and was appointed Chief Justice in 2001.

Career:

Chidyausiku was born in Domboshawa, Southern Rhodesia. He attended Mutake School at Makumbi Mission, and then St Ignatius college in Chishawasha. He won a place at the University of Rhodesia from 1968 to 1972 where he read law. He went into private legal practice. At the 1974 general election he won the Harare African Roll constituency, standing with the unofficial support of the African National Council which had been set up by ZANU, ZAPU and FROLIZI. He acted in opposition to the government of Ian Smith. Chidyausiku stood down at the 1977 election.

In the 1980 election Chidyausiku was elected as 12th on ZANU-PF’s list for Mashonaland East when ZANU-PF won 14 seats. He was Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing and of Justice from 1980, and was promoted to be Attorney-General in 1982.

Chidyausiku was later promoted to be a judge and served as chair of the Constitutional Convention charged with drafting a new constitution for Zimbabwe. He ensured that the constitution accorded with the wishes of the government, including an executive Presidency; many members of the convention had argued against it. However, in the referendum on the constitution, the electorate rejected the text.

After the resignation of Anthony Gubbay, Chidyausiku was named as Zimbabwe’s new Chief Justice in July 2001.

Personal Life

Chidyausiku was married to Sheila Madzima (1948–2009).