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The late Justice Andrew Mutema

Thandeka Moyo Court Reporter
THE family of Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Andrew Mutema, who collapsed and died on Friday while admitted at Mater Dei Hospital, is awaiting guidance from government before making burial arrangements.

Family members, who are gathered at a house in Chishawasha Hills in Harare, said they were still to come up with a date and place for the judge’s burial as they were waiting to be guided by his employers.

Richard Mhike, his nephew, said the late judge had gone for a work-related trip to Ghana, Sudan and Kenya before he came back complaining of a slight headache.

“He came back on Monday and went to see the doctor on Tuesday as he suspected he had malaria. The doctor said he didn’t have malaria but diagnosed him of a fever and put him on medication before discharging him,” said Nhike.

“On Thursday evening his condition deteriorated and he was rushed to Mater Dei. He collapsed on Friday at around 6.30AM and was taken to the intensive care unit. Doctors tried resuscitating him up to about past 1PM where he was pronounced dead.”

Mhike described Justice Mutema, 56, as a humble family man who sacrificed a lot to see his family members attain education.

“He wanted all of us to be educated and we used to gather at his Chivhu farm to discuss our future prospects. We lost a father, an advisor and we will forever cherish the moments we spent with him.

“However, we can’t confirm when he will be buried as we are waiting for government officials to respond. Mourners have since moved from Bulawayo and are now in Harare in Chishawasha Hills though we are planning to move to Marlborough tomorrow (today).”

Judicial Service Commission secretary, Justice Rita Makarau, said Justice Mutema joined the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in 1986 as an assistant magistrate.

He was appointed a magistrate in 1987 and a regional magistrate in September 1997.

On November 3, 2004, he was appointed to the post of senior president of the Administrative Court.

He was later moved to the Labour Court on 14 December 14, 2007, where he was appointed to the post of senior president of the Labour Court,” said Justice Makarau.

On May 20, 2010, he was appointed Judge of the High Court in Harare. Justice Mutema was appointed to the position of Senior Judge in charge of the High Court, Bulawayo, on February 1, 2013.

In March this year, he was appointed a Principal Judge in the First Division of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).

Justice Makarau said Justice Mutema is survived by four children, two sons and daughters.