HARARE - Supreme Court judge Rita Makarau, appointed on a temporary basis to head the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), has now been given a permanent contract.

The Judicial Service Commission secretary’s appointment to Zec on an acting capacity caused a political storm after Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai rejected the move arguing it trivialises the critical role of conducting elections.

Luke Tamborinyoka, Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, said Principals to Zimbabwe’s coalition government agreed on Monday that Makarau should work for the commission full time.

“It is true that the Principals have exercised their minds on the issue and agreed that the leadership of the Zec is such an important position that it cannot be headed by a temporary appointment, hence Justice Makarau will be its substantive chairperson and we are only waiting for the technicalities before her swearing-in,” Tamborinyoka said.

“We had hoped that this would have been given priority given that we are moving fast not only into the election period but also you are aware of the referendum this coming weekend,” Tamborinyoka said.

Makarau takes over from retired Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe who resigned reportedly on health grounds.