Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda has appointed Justice Chimbizgani Kacheche to join a three-member constitutional court panel hearing a case in which some applicants want the court to declare the country’s sex laws unconstitutional.

Judiciary spokesperson Kondwani Banda has confirmed the appointment in an interview with the press.

Justice Kacheche replaces Judge Mandala Mambulasa, who recused himself from the case last week after the state protested his inclusion on the panel, urguing that before his appointment as high court judge, he had publicly supported same sex and minority rights.

The case was adjourned to May 23, 2023 for substantive hearing.