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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
JUSTICE, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the ongoing expansion of courts in the country is in line with Government policy on devolution and enhancing access to justice.

Speaking during the commissioning of three new courtrooms at the Bulawayo High Court yesterday, Minister Ziyambi said his ministry’s top priority is to ensure effective and efficient justice delivery system.

“The expansion of our courts is consistent with Government policy on devolution and enhancing access to justice for the people of Zimbabwe. It is my ministry’s mandate to ensure that our court system is efficient and effective,” he said.

Minister Ziyambi said the expansion of Bulawayo High Court by the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) is part of the projects identified by his ministry for completion within the 100 days rapid results circle.

“I therefore urge the Judiciary Service Commission to keep their eyes on the ball so that you are able to attend to all the projects that have been planned for completion within the current circle,” he said.

The Minister said the Government has adopted the ease of doing business policy, which requires regulations and laws to promote and attract foreign investors.

“We are required to put in place policies and mechanisms that will make it easy for investors to come and invest. As a ministry, we are required to sponsor laws that will promote ease of doing business and a major area of concern for investors is that of the rule of law,” he said.

Minister Ziyambi said JSC bought a building in Harare that will be turned into the Commercial Court of Zimbabwe.

“The court system should be able to resolve commercial disputes with minimum delay and this is very crucial if we are to realise our goal of becoming a middle income economy by 2030. It is my hope that one of the courtrooms will be dedicated to deal with commercial disputes and help in the regeneration of investor confidence,” he said.

Minister Ziyambi urged JSC to address the issue of justice accessibility by vulnerable members of society. “In many instances, legal problems faced by vulnerable members of our society intersect with their economic, family, health and social issues,” he said.

JSC has embarked on the refurbishment and expansion of courthouses throughout the country in line with its second five year strategic plan. — @mashnets