News / National
ZLHR welcomes Masvingo High court opening
04 Jun 2016 at 09:30hrs | Views
ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has welcome the opening of a permanent High Court in Masvingo by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Monday 30 May 2016.
The organisation the decentralisation of the High Court is long overdue, and will go a long way in facilitating access to justice by many previously disadvantaged vulnerable people residing in Masvingo and other surrounding provinces.
"Its proximate location, is particularly compelling as it will further alleviate challenges such as exorbitant travel, upkeep costs that were incurred by potential litigants, witnesses as well as other players interacting with the justice system at this level," ZLHR said.
"Most people had to travel for long distances to Harare and Bulawayo to access the services of the High Court. From an administrative perspective, once fully operational, the Masvingo High Court will also help to reduce backlog of cases, minimise delays and hopefully expedite the determination of cases."
ZLHR said the new court will contribute to improving the efficiency of the justice system as a whole as there was substantial pressure on the limited permanent High Court facilities – located in Harare and Bulawayo due to the number of users who previously had no options.
"ZLHR encourages stakeholders to offer necessary and relevant support for a functional and effective Masvingo High Court as this will boost public confidence in the justice delivery system. People living within the jurisdiction of this court are also urged to fully utilise its facilities for protection of their social, economic, cultural, civil and political rights provided in the 2013 Constitution. The JSC must continue to work with strategic partners to establish additional permanent High Courts in other provinces such as Manicaland and Midlands," ZLHR said.
"As a law based organisation that is committed to fostering a culture of human rights in Zimbabwe, ZLHR will continue through its various interventions to promote awareness of the existence of the High Court in Masvingo, and fully utilise this new court in order to advance the protection of human rights."
The organisation the decentralisation of the High Court is long overdue, and will go a long way in facilitating access to justice by many previously disadvantaged vulnerable people residing in Masvingo and other surrounding provinces.
"Its proximate location, is particularly compelling as it will further alleviate challenges such as exorbitant travel, upkeep costs that were incurred by potential litigants, witnesses as well as other players interacting with the justice system at this level," ZLHR said.
"Most people had to travel for long distances to Harare and Bulawayo to access the services of the High Court. From an administrative perspective, once fully operational, the Masvingo High Court will also help to reduce backlog of cases, minimise delays and hopefully expedite the determination of cases."
"ZLHR encourages stakeholders to offer necessary and relevant support for a functional and effective Masvingo High Court as this will boost public confidence in the justice delivery system. People living within the jurisdiction of this court are also urged to fully utilise its facilities for protection of their social, economic, cultural, civil and political rights provided in the 2013 Constitution. The JSC must continue to work with strategic partners to establish additional permanent High Courts in other provinces such as Manicaland and Midlands," ZLHR said.
"As a law based organisation that is committed to fostering a culture of human rights in Zimbabwe, ZLHR will continue through its various interventions to promote awareness of the existence of the High Court in Masvingo, and fully utilise this new court in order to advance the protection of human rights."
Source - Byo24News
