Harare, (New Ziana) – The decentralization of magistrates’ courts was the major priority for the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) last year, as it sought to bring justice closer to the people, an official has said.
Chief Justice Luke Malaba said this during the official opening of the 2025 Legal Year on Monday, with his remarks delivered by Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwanzura at the Harare High Court.
This year the main event took place in Bulawayo, aligning with the government’s devolution policy to promote unity.
“In that regard, during the course of the year under review, additional regional courts were opened at Kwekwe, Mutoko, Zvishavane, Mbare and Guruve.
“Whilst all the other regional courts are now fully operational, there have been delays in operationalising Guruve Regional Magistrates Court because of the need to set up appropriate facilities that will house the regional court,” said Malaba.
He said resident Magistrates’ Courts were established at a number of stations which used to be run on a periodic basis.
These were at Triangle in Masvingo province, Kotwa in Mashonaland East province, Shamva in Mashonaland Central, Banket in Mashonaland West, Beatrice in Harare South province, Mabvuku and Chinamhora in Harare North province, Nembudziya in Midlands, and Wedza in Mashonaland East province.
Malaba added that some of the courts are already operational while others will open their doors to the public during the course of the first term of this legal year.
“All the logistics for the opening of the courts have been finalised. What is left are consultations with key stakeholders such as the National Prosecuting Authority and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services,” he said.
“In Harare North province it is envisaged that the station at Mabvuku will start operating during the course of the year because the construction of the courthouse has since commenced.”
He said in Matabeleland South province, Brunapeg was designated as a resident Magistrates’ Court and land has been secured to construct the court and the Commission is engaging Treasury to provide funding to construct the courthouse.
In addition to the resident Magistrate Courts, Malaba said, the JSC spearheaded the designation of circuit courts at Nyanga in Manicaland province for the regional court to be serviced by the Mutare regional court, at Ruwangwe to be serviced by the Nyanga magistrates court, at Makuti to be serviced by the Karoi magistrates court, at Cashel Valley in Manicaland to be serviced by the Chimanimani court while at Mahusekwa to be serviced by the Marondera Magistrates Court, and at Lusulu and Siabuwa to be serviced by the Binga Magistrates’ Court.
“In total, 2024 saw the establishment of five additional regional courts, ten resident magistrate’s courts and eight circuit courts. These numbers were unprecedented but not surprising because the Commission relentlessly pursued its strategic plan objective of decentralising the courts to enhance access to justice for all citizens.
Last but not least, the Commission continued to pursue the development of essential court facilities and infrastructure throughout 2024,” he said. The theme for this year is ‘Building Public Confidence In the Judiciary Through Stakeholder Participation”.
New Ziana