Harare (New Ziana) – The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) has set up a committee made up of stakeholders in the criminal justice system, to provide solutions to the clearance of a huge backlog of criminal cases, chiefly murder cases that have piled up in the country’s courts.

Dubbed the National Council on the Administration of Criminal Justice, the council was mandated with ensuring coordinated, efficient and consultative approach in the administration and reform of the criminal justice system.

It comprises of the Judge President of the High Court, the Acting-Prosecutor General, the Commissioner General of Police, the Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services and the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

Other members include the senior judge of the High Court in Bulawayo, the head of the criminal division of the Harare High Court, the secretary of the JSC, the Chief Magistrate and the Secretary of the Law Society of Zimbabwe.

“Serious concern has arisen relating to the slow movement and finalisation of criminal matters especially murder cases. Statistics show that there is in excess of one thousand murder cases pending indictment to the High Court for trial,” Chief Justice Luke Malaba said while opening the 2023 legal year.

“The rationale for the setting up of the National Council on the Administration of Criminal Justice is the fact that the finalisation of criminal cases is dependent on institutional cooperation. Needless to say, one other reason for the development is the enhancement of public confidence in the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system represents the most basic form of the law and one of the essential means within the judicial system for the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms.”

Malaba said delays in concluding cases were denting public confidence in the judiciary.

“The attendant difficulties and anxiety experienced by the accused persons waiting for trial, the witnesses including complainants who would want closure to cases, and members of the public with interest in the outcome of the trials cannot be ignored.

“Any lethargic approach in the disposition of criminal matters by stakeholders in the justice sector regrettably points to the incompetence of the system and erodes public confidence in the justice system. It is important that all stakeholders in the criminal justice system, especially the Judiciary, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Law Society of Zimbabwe perform their respective functions efficiently so that the unacceptable situation is eliminated,” he said.
New Ziana