Legal Practitioners Urged to Protect Zimbabwe ConstitutionJustice Charles Hungwe says legal practitioners, prosecutors and members of the judiciary should protect, promote and respect the constitution to allow the rule of law to flourish in Zimbabwe. Justice Hungwe, who officially opened the 2015 legal year of the High Court in Mutare on Monday, said everyone in the country has a role to play in ensuring that the constitution is respected. Justice Hungwe noted that he expected more from professionals such as lawyers, prosecutors, lawmakers and others. He said the country’s values are reflected in the constitution and should be protected to ensure democracy takes root. Justice Hungwe said the debate about the constitution and constitutionalism should continue, adding this is key as it helps people to encourage and remind each other of the integrity of the law. He said there is need also to assure the community that the judiciary strives to serve them and ensure justice prevails at all times. He said it is critically important for the courts to effectively resolve disputes in communities without fear or favor. Justice Hungwe commended the government’s efforts in trying to make sure the country’s constitution is available in all the country’s official languages, saying this will enable people to understand and respect the country’s supreme law. Mutare lawyers said Justice Hungwe’s speech was good in as far as it addressed issues affecting the community. But they stressed that what is critical at the moment to ensure that justice is delivered all the time is to address poor working conditions in the judiciary, particularly in increasing salaries of prosecutors in the country. This, they said, would curtail corrupt practices at courthouses.