BY SAMUEL NJINGA IN CHIREDZI
The official commissioning of the Chiredzi Magistrates Court and Triangle Magistrates Court on Friday by Chief Justice Luke Malaba has been hailed as a landmark development for justice delivery in Zimbabwe’s Lowveld region. Minister of State for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira, described the event as the start of a new chapter in the Government’s commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law.
Addressing the gathering during the ceremony, Chadzamira emphasized the transformative role that the new courts will play for local communities, calling them “beacons of hope” and “game changers.” He noted that the expansion of the judicial infrastructure in the region is a clear indication of the Government’s dedication to ensuring access to justice for all citizens, regardless of their location.
“This moment marks not only the culmination of years of planning and dedication but also the beginning of a new chapter in our commitment of justice and the rule of law,” said Chadzamira. “The courts complex will serve as a beacon of hope for our communities as it eliminates the need for them to travel long distances to access courts in other districts. Not only does this enhance access to justice, but it also serves the people of Chiredzi and Triangle precious time and resources in their pursuit of justice. These courts will undoubtedly be a game changer for the communities. We anticipate that these new court complexes will also facilitate the swift hearing of matters as the well-known saying goes: justice delayed is justice denied.”
Chadzamira praised the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for its commendable efforts in incorporating President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of decentralizing services to ensure justice is accessible to all. He applauded the JSC for its leading role in ensuring that Zimbabwe achieves world-class justice delivery standards, pointing to the integration of modern electronic services as a key step forward.
“I am pleased to note that these facilities have been fully equipped to support the use of integrated electronic services,” Chadzamira said. “As such, we look forward to members of the community being able to access formal justice from the comfort of their homes.”
He added that the decentralization of the court system reaffirms the confidence in the JSC’s ability to fulfill the Government’s vision of attaining world-class justice for all. He called on other arms of the State to learn from the JSC’s approach to collaboration and service delivery.
“The decentralization of the court systems also reaffirms our confidence in the JSC`s capabilities to fulfill the vision of attaining world-class justice for all. The JSC’s collective effort must serve as a template that should be adopted in the interactions of all arms of the state,” said Chadzamira.
The newly commissioned courts will serve the rapidly growing communities of Chiredzi, Triangle, and surrounding areas, which have seen increased demand for judicial services due to economic expansion and population growth. The introduction of these courts is expected to reduce case backlogs and bring justice closer to the people, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to seek legal recourse.
Chief Justice Malaba, who presided over the commissioning, reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that justice is accessible to every Zimbabwean, regardless of their geographic location. He highlighted the importance of decentralizing the court system to enhance the delivery of justice and reduce delays in the legal process.
Both the Chiredzi and Triangle Magistrates Courts are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including digital recording systems and other modern technologies designed to streamline court operations and enhance service delivery.
The opening of these courts is part of a broader national judicial infrastructure development initiative aimed at improving access to justice across the country, particularly in underserved rural areas. Chiredzi and Triangle now join a growing list of towns benefiting from this nationwide effort to bring the courts closer to the people.
As the Lowveld region continues to expand economically, the establishment of these courts is expected to have a profound and lasting impact on the local communities, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to justice, equality, and the rule of law.