Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) plans to set up a new criminal court in the populous suburb of Sakubva in Mutare, while a number of circuit courts have been set up across Manicaland to increase access to justice by citizens.
The proposed Sakubva Magistrates’ Court will bring major relief to the Mutare Magistrates’ Court, which is overwhelmed by increasing criminal cases outstripping the existing infrastructure.
The Mutare Magistrates’ Court handles cases from police stations in Mutare urban and rural.
In a written response to questions, JSC spokesperson, Mr Daniel Nemukuyu said a regional court will be operating on circuit basis in Nyanga.
Currently, regional cases from Nyanga are being heard in Rusape, which at times jeopardises the application of justice as witnesses, accused persons and police officers often missed court appearances due to the long distance-related challenges.
Regional courts handle serious cases such as rape, armed robbery, stock theft, and attempted murder, among others.
Mr Nemukuyu also said Ruwangwe area in Nyanga District and Cashel Valley in Chimanimani District now have operational circuit courts.
“Plans are already underway to establish a permanent court in Sakubva so as to decongest Mutare Magistrates’ Court, while at the same time reducing the distance travelled by litigants to access justice. You may also need to know that recently we operationalised Ruwangwe and Cashel Valley circuit courts, all aimed at enhancing access to justice.
“The establishment of Nyanga Regional Circuit Court is largely informed by the Judicial Service Commission Strategic Plan, which emphasises enhancement of access to justice as one of JSC’s strategic priorities. To that end, it was realised that there is a need to bring justice to the people of Nyanga, who have been travelling long distances to access justice at Rusape Regional Court.
“The circuit court will be serviced for a week in a month. The regional magistrate who will be presiding over the cases will be travelling from Mutare.
‘‘The regional circuit court is scheduled to open its doors to the public by the beginning of March.
“The Judicial Service Commission is on a massive decentralisation drive that has seen almost every district in Zimbabwe having at least one magistrates’ court.
‘‘This brings justice to the people and everyone will have access to justice. We have also decentralised the High Court. Before 2016, we only had two permanent High Court stations, one in Harare and the other in Bulawayo.
‘‘We managed to open three more new stations in Masvingo, Mutare and Chinhoyi, making them five. Our target is to set up permanent High Court stations in every province of Zimbabwe,” said Mr Nemukuyu.
