Zimbabwe's Supreme Court has lost Justice Felistus Chatukuta, who died from cardiac arrest after serving two decades on the bench. The jurist rose from her appointment to the High Court in 2005 to the nation's highest appellate tribunal, where she took her oath four years ago.
Chatukuta gained recognition for landmark rulings under the post-2013 constitution, notably issuing capital sentences to armed robbers in what became the first executions authorized under revised constitutional provisions. Her decisions spanned environmental protection orders against municipal development on wetlands and proceedings involving former magistrates.
The Rusape-born judge participated in parliamentary ceremonies weeks before her death, leaving colleagues to mourn a career defined by rigorous legal application across criminal and public interest litigation.
Chatukuta gained recognition for landmark rulings under the post-2013 constitution, notably issuing capital sentences to armed robbers in what became the first executions authorized under revised constitutional provisions. Her decisions spanned environmental protection orders against municipal development on wetlands and proceedings involving former magistrates.
The Rusape-born judge participated in parliamentary ceremonies weeks before her death, leaving colleagues to mourn a career defined by rigorous legal application across criminal and public interest litigation.
