Godfrey Chidyausiku

1980 - Deputy local government minister 1981- Deputy justice minister 1982 - Attorney general 1987 - High Court judge 2000 - Headed constitutional commission

The move followed a series of Supreme Court verdicts to which Mr Mugabe's government took exception.

However, correspondents say the court is likely to continue its track record of measuring the government's actions against the requirements of the constitution,

Bias

Just a week ago, Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay succumbed to months of government pressure and intimidation by agreeing to go on immediate leave before taking early retirement in late June.

The government accused the judge, who is white, of bias in favour of Zimbabwe's white minority.

Mr Gubbay had angered President Mugabe by ruling against ministers several times over the government's controversial land reform programme - in which land is being redistributed without compensation.

Observers say Mr Mugabe has been determined to have a more compliant Supreme Court - especially ahead of presidential elections due by next year.

New Supreme Court head Godfrey Chidyausiku is a former deputy minister and attorney general.