BY SAMUEL NJINGA IN CHIREDZI
In a major boost for the justice delivery system in the Lowveld, Chief Justice Luke Malaba officially opened two new Magistrates Courts on Friday: the Triangle Magistrates Court and the Chiredzi Magistrates Court. These facilities are set to enhance access to justice in the rapidly growing region, providing residents with more convenient access to legal services.
Speaking during the official ceremony, Chief Justice Malaba emphasised the critical importance of decentralizing the judiciary. He underscored the importance of courts as symbolism for vision and national building.
“Courts are buildings that symbolise our vision as the people of Zimbabwe, our aspirations, our fundamental rights, our freedom. These are the buildings from which we should all be able to realise that goodness of the law. We must have them near so that every day we can think of them and see them. Not just because they are institutions where wrongness is resolved, courts are not just there for that. Courts are there for national building. Courts are there for anchoring the vision of economic development because all the economic disputes must go to courts,” Malaba said. “Courts are constantly present wherever you are, in the family, whether you are driving a car, whether you are drinking beer, you must drink it according to the law.”
The Triangle Magistrates Court will serve the rapidly expanding population in the Triangle and Hippo Valley Estates, areas renowned for sugar cane farming. Residents in these communities, who previously had to travel to Chiredzi or Masvingo for legal matters, will now have their cases heard locally, allowing for more efficient dispute resolution.
Similarly, the Chiredzi Magistrates Court will cater for the broader Lowveld area, which has seen significant growth in both population and economic activities in recent years. As one of the main administrative hubs of the Lowveld, Chiredzi has faced increased demand for legal services due to a surge in commercial and civil disputes, as well as criminal cases.
Chief Justice Malaba was joined by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Lovemore Matuke, the Minister of State and Devolution Affairs for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira, Member of Parliament for Chiredzi West, Darlington Chiwa, senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs, as well as local leaders who welcomed the development as a vital step toward strengthening the region’s infrastructure. Community members, legal practitioners, and civil society groups also attended the event, expressing optimism that the new courts would streamline legal processes and reduce case backlogs.
Chiefs Tshovani, Sengwe, Gezani and Chilonga among others said commissioning of these courts will go a long way in curbing crime. “These courts will greatly benefit our community. Stock theft is a major problem affecting us and we are happy that cattle rustlers will be decisively dealt with,”said Chief Sengwe, who is one of the traditional leaders that attended the opening ceremony. “We now have quicker access to justice, which is critical for resolving local disputes efficiently and ensuring the rule of law.”
The opening of the courts is part of a nationwide judicial infrastructure development program aimed at improving access to legal services and ensuring that courts are better equipped to handle the growing demand for justice delivery.
Both courts are expected to begin handling cases immediately, with provisions for both civil and criminal matters. The new facilities also come equipped with modern amenities, including digital recording systems, which will streamline court proceedings and ensure the efficient administration of justice.
Chief Justice Malaba concluded the event by reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring equal access to justice for all Zimbabweans, noting that more court infrastructure projects are planned across the country to continue improving the judiciary’s capacity to serve the public effectively.
The establishment of the two Magistrates Courts is seen as a landmark development for the Lowveld, one that will provide a lasting positive impact on the region’s justice system.