By Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Copyright nehandaradio

HARARE – Zimbabwean jurist Justice Moses Hungwe Chinhengo, a respected legal mind who served on the benches of several Southern African nations, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 70.

Details of his death are still unclear, but a family member close to Nehanda Radio confirmed that he had been suffering from cancer for a long time.

Justice Chinhengo served in Botswana, Namibia, and Lesotho.

Justice Chinhengo was widely respected across Southern Africa for his legal acumen and principled approach to the law. He was described by colleagues as a gentleman committed to fairness and justice throughout his judicial career.

Prominent lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu paid tribute to him, calling him “a keen legal mind, jurist, and true gentleman” who “always tried to do the right thing.”

Mpofu added that Chinhengo remained active in legal discussions until his final days and had encouraged him to practise in Botswana and Namibia.

“Justice Moses Hungwe Chinhengo has rested. A keen legal mind, jurist, and true gentleman, he always tried to do the right thing,” Mpofu stated.

“We frequently exchanged notes and discussed topical cases; he remained at the top of his game until his last breath. He was insistent that I enrol in Botswana and Namibia and take on a few cases there.

“If I ever do, it will be in honour of his faith in me. The nation has lost a fine principled gentleman. My condolences to his family and to all who loved him. Rest easy, champ. So long, peaceful warrior.”

Chinhengo’s career spanned several countries. In March 2023, the Namibian Judicial Service Commission (JSC) appointed him as an acting Judge of the High Court.

He served there until July 2025 presiding over a high profile corruption and fraud case in the allocation and use of Namibian fishing quotas.

He had also served as an acting judge of Namibia’s Supreme Court in 2021.

The veteran jurist was previously a Justice of the High Court of Zimbabwe and later of Botswana. He also acted as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Lesotho.

He followed in the footsteps of other Zimbabwean judges who contributed to Namibia’s judiciary, including the late Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe, who once served as Acting Chief Justice of Namibia.

Tributes continue to pour in from the legal fraternity across the region, with many highlighting his dedication, integrity, and cross-border impact.

An X user only identified as Method said Justice Chinhengo deserved a “law journal to be named after him”.

Method wrote: “A doyen of the law he was. He deserves a law journal to be named after him which like minds will be contributing. He left us judgments that we rely on almost daily. He explained to the public what indluplum rule means.

“A gentle teacher of advanced civil procedure. The gap that he has left is one that cannot be bridged. His ethos and character is a rare breed. May his soul rest in peace!”

Justice Chinhengo is survived by his family. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.