Chief Justice Malaba to commission Lupane Magistrates' Courts

ALL is set for the commissioning of the completed Lupane Magistrates' Courts complex by Chief Justice Luke Malaba this Friday.

Construction of the complex started a few years ago and it is one of the signature infrastructure projects funded by the Second Republic in Matabeleland North province.

The project was spearheaded by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The new court complex is located near the Grain Marketing Board depot north of Lupane town centre.

The premises comprise the main building which has two courtrooms, chambers and several offices as well as prison holding cells and witnesses' waiting shades.

The cells have internal ablution and shower facilities in line with modern correctional and rehabilitation facilities.

Lupane, which was given town status in 1999, is Matabeleland North provincial capital and various projects being spearheaded by the Government are expected to speed up the town's growth.

The Magistrates' Court was all along housed at the District Development Co-ordinator's offices.
Following the completion of the new complex, the magistrate-in-charge of the province will relocate from Hwange to Lupane once accommodation is built.

Completion of the new court complex follows that of the Welshman Mabhena Government Complex where Government departments have since been allocated offices to pave way for relocation of civil servants from Bulawayo where they have been operating from.

Government is also constructing Lupane Provincial Hospital while Lupane State University has since moved some of its faculties to the provincial capital as the Second Republic implements the policy of Decentralisation and Devolution.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said the completion of the court complex is a milestone development which fulfils Government's objective of leaving no one and no place behind.

"We always say that the Second Republic has supported us as a province and this project is testimony to that. After the court complex, we will witness commissioning of Unit 7 power plant in Hwange in November.

We are happy and excited as a province that most services are coming close to the people," said Minister Moyo.
JSC spokesperson Mr Daniel Nemukuyu said Lupane Magistrates' Court is a testimony of the work that the Second Republic is doing to improve the justice delivery system.

"We are now ready for the commissioning of the Lupane Magistrates' Court on Friday. This is one of the major successes scored by the Second Republic in a bid to ensure access to justice for all. The Honourable Chief Justice Luke Malaba will officially open the new court on Friday 30 September 2022," said Mr Nemukuyu.

He said the new courthouse is spacious and accommodates all officers of the court that include the National Prosecuting Authority, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

TelOne was tasked to fully equip the complex to enable it to handle cases under the new judiciary digital Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS).

The new courthouse will be transformative as it is bigger and becomes the third modern JSC structure in Matabeleland North after Victoria Falls and Binga.

Tsholotsho got a new courtroom more than 10 years ago but it is smaller than the new structures JSC is building countrywide.
The Hwange Magistrates Court, which is bigger and built some years back, has been refurbished and accommodates the regional court and the High Court sits on circuit.

Mr Nemukuyu said JSC is constructing a number of other courthouses countrywide which include the recently completed Epworth Magistrates' Court which is expected to be commissioned soon.

Other courts under construction are Chiredzi, Gwanda and Mutawatawa while renovations are being done at the Chimanimani Court Complex.

Plans are underway to build courts in Emganwini, Nkulumane and Cowdray Park suburbs in Bulawayo.

The idea is to bring the courts closer to the people.