News / National
Prosecutor-General urges speedy trials
02 Jun 2025 at 16:23hrs | Views
Zimbabwe's Prosecutor-General, Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo, has urged the justice system to prioritise timely prosecution of cases amid growing concerns over the difficulty of locating litigants and witnesses for delayed trials in the Special High Court Circuit currently operating in the Midlands Province.
The special courts were set up in Gweru and Gokwe to address a ballooning backlog of murder cases. However, officials are now grappling with challenges arising from delayed prosecutions — a situation Justice Matanda-Moyo says undermines the delivery of justice.
Speaking following a stakeholder review meeting held in Gweru last week, the Prosecutor-General stressed that prompt trials are essential for ensuring closure for victims and maintaining the integrity of the judicial process.
"Cases must be tried speedily, and the victims of crime must get closure," said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
"Some cases could not be tried because the accused persons could not be located or because the witnesses themselves had also moved on. People are highly mobile. Going forward, we want to avoid such things."
She emphasised that justice must be served while memories are still fresh and all parties involved — accused persons and witnesses alike — are still traceable.
From September 9 to 27, 2024, the special circuit court completed 137 out of a targeted 150 cases, demonstrating significant progress. Another 150 murder cases were finalised between January 20 and February 7, 2025, showing the efficacy of the initiative in clearing long-pending matters.
More recently, between May 12 and 24, 2025, the Gokwe High Court Circuit concluded 40 cases, while the Gweru Circuit finalised 37 out of the targeted 40.
Justice Matanda-Moyo expressed hope that other provinces would emulate the Midlands approach and adopt similar special court initiatives to manage backlogs.
"All cases must be tried as quickly as possible while the events are still fresh in the minds of the witnesses and while the accused persons and the witnesses themselves are still around," she added.
The Special High Court Circuit initiative has been widely praised for addressing long-standing delays in serious criminal cases. Legal experts say continued collaboration between the judiciary, prosecution, police, and community stakeholders will be key to ensuring that justice is both efficient and accessible across the country.
The special courts were set up in Gweru and Gokwe to address a ballooning backlog of murder cases. However, officials are now grappling with challenges arising from delayed prosecutions — a situation Justice Matanda-Moyo says undermines the delivery of justice.
Speaking following a stakeholder review meeting held in Gweru last week, the Prosecutor-General stressed that prompt trials are essential for ensuring closure for victims and maintaining the integrity of the judicial process.
"Cases must be tried speedily, and the victims of crime must get closure," said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
"Some cases could not be tried because the accused persons could not be located or because the witnesses themselves had also moved on. People are highly mobile. Going forward, we want to avoid such things."
She emphasised that justice must be served while memories are still fresh and all parties involved — accused persons and witnesses alike — are still traceable.
More recently, between May 12 and 24, 2025, the Gokwe High Court Circuit concluded 40 cases, while the Gweru Circuit finalised 37 out of the targeted 40.
Justice Matanda-Moyo expressed hope that other provinces would emulate the Midlands approach and adopt similar special court initiatives to manage backlogs.
"All cases must be tried as quickly as possible while the events are still fresh in the minds of the witnesses and while the accused persons and the witnesses themselves are still around," she added.
The Special High Court Circuit initiative has been widely praised for addressing long-standing delays in serious criminal cases. Legal experts say continued collaboration between the judiciary, prosecution, police, and community stakeholders will be key to ensuring that justice is both efficient and accessible across the country.
Source - The Chronicle
