It was responsible for overseeing the nation's laws, legal system and law enforcement.

The Ministry of Justice was established in 1923 during the colonial period of Southern Rhodesia.

It retained the same structure when Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence in 1965.

The Ministry was led by the Attorney General (until 1933) and the Minister of Justice (after 1932), who was appointed by Prime Minister.

In 1980 Zimbabwe gained its independence and the Ministry was succeeded by the Ministry of Justice of Zimbabwe.