By Newsdesk
PROSECUTOR General Kumbirai Hodzi has resigned with immediate effect due to ill health.
While still acting PG, Hodzi controversially said that no one had been killed by the police or army during the January 2019 Protests. This statement, however, contradicted the findings of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission whose 22 January report said that a verified death of Tinashe Choto of a gunshot wound was the result of a clash between the police and protestors in Makoni, Chitungwiza.[5]
In February 2020 Hodzi said some sections of key institutions of the state were captured by cartels, making the job of fighting corruption difficult.
In a statement released Tuesday evening, the chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda reported that Hodzi’s resignation was due to his deteriorating health, which requires medical attention.
“It is with regret that I announce the resignation of Honourable Kumbirai Hodzi as Prosecutor General. His resignation has come about due to ill health requiring medical attention,” the statement reads.
“In light of this, His Excellency the President, Dr. E. D Mnangagwa, has accepted the resignation. His Excellency is ready to deploy Hon. Hodzi elsewhere in the service as soon as his health rallies back,” Sibanda said.
“Hodzi was appointed Prosecutor General in July 2019 during which far-reaching institutional changes were effected in the Office of the Prosecutor General. Prior to his appointment, Hon. Hodzi served the government as Deputy Attorney General.
He was appointed and sworn in in January 2019 following interviews in December 2018. In the public interviews, he came 6th best but no reason was given on why he was chosen ahead of the other 5 interviewees. Before become PG, he acted in the position since July 2018.
In November 2019, during the interview for the substantive post of PG, Hodzi questioned by Judicial Service Commission panel on his failure to effectively prosecute high profile corruption cases in his first 93 days and his pre-emptying of investigations through premature press briefings.
He, however, was eventually still appointed PG despite coming number 6 among those interviewed.
Hodzi holds a law degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a first class Master’s degree in International Public Law (University of Lund, Sweden). He is studying towards a doctorate in International Law.[1]
Prior to his appointment as acting prosecutor general, Hodzi was the Deputy Prosecutor General.
Hodzi was also a prosecutor and law officer for many years, and was once attached to the Criminal Tribunal. He also practiced as a solicitor in the United Kingdom. Hodzi served as a law lecturer, legal proctor and chairperson of the Legal Advice Clinic.
