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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter

LUPANE Magistrates’ Court building, one of the key infrastructure projects built under the Second Republic in Matabeleland North province is complete and set for official opening by Chief Justice Luke Malaba at the end of this month. 

Various projects being spearheaded by the Government are expected to speed up the growth of Lupane, the provincial capital of Matabeleland North. 

Lupane was given town status in 1999, marking the start of a long process of relocation of various provincial services and offices from Bulawayo to the centre.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said the completion of the court building project is in line with Government’s integrated development agenda of leaving no one and no place behind. 

He said the completion of Lupane Magistrates’ Court building will improve justice delivery in the largely rural province.

“Naturally as a province we are excited about this development, we are happy that it’s a project which is coming to fruition as per promise by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa in his capacity as the Head of State and Government and the ruling party’s First Secretary,” said Minister Moyo.

“In his election campaign promises, the President promised development and we are seeing that, especially here in Matabeleland North where a number of projects that had stalled for years are beginning to shape up.”

Apart from the Lupane Court building, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is also constructing Gwanda Magistrates’ Court in Matabeleland South.

Lupane Court is located near the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot.

The premises comprise of the main building, which has two courtrooms, chambers and several offices as well as a well-ventilated prison holding cells building.

The cells have internal ablution and shower facilities.

All along, the court was housed at the District Development Co-ordinator’s offices.

The new courthouse becomes the third modern Judiciary Services Commission (JSC) structure in Matabeleland North after Victoria Falls and Binga courts.

The Hwange Magistrates Court, which is bigger and built some years back, has been refurbished. The regional court is housed at the Hwange Magistrates Courts where the High Court also sits on circuit. The courtyard has been paved while grounds have been greened.

Tsholotsho got a new courtroom more than 10 years ago but it is smaller than the new structures JSC is building countrywide.

The completion of the Lupane courthouse 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. 

JSC spokesperson Mr Daniel Nemukuyu said Lupane Magistrates’ Court will be fully equipped to handle cases under the new judiciary digital error, Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS).

E-courts was introduced in line with new technologies and the need for efficiency in the delivery of justice with consistency and collective effort by all justice delivery players. 

The full implementation of the system is set to transform all courts into automated and paperless courts. The initiative will also go a long way in reducing carbon footprints

The key advantages include bringing in a justice serving mechanism that is transparent, efficient, affordable, time-saving, protects the interests of witnesses, reduces the backlog of pending cases, and most importantly reduces the number of unscrupulous activities.

“We have completed the courthouse in Lupane and Chief Justice Luke Malaba will officially open the facility on September 30. This is part of decentralising justice which is also in line with making sure that no one and no place is left behind in the justice delivery system,” said Mr Nemukuyu.

“Access to justice for everyone is the main thrust behind all this.”

Mr Nemukuyu said plans are also underway to build courts in Emganwini, Nkulumane and Cowdray Park suburbs in Bulawayo. 

Some of JSC’s milestone achievements in the 12 years include the decentralisation of the High Court, construction of 30 new courts, equipping and refurbishing various court houses across the country into world-class facilities.

High Courts were established in Masvingo, Mutare and recently in Chinhoyi as part of decentralisation, while magistrate’s courts were built in Inyathi, Kezi, Chivi, Chimanimani, Mutasa and Concession among other places. — @skhumoyo2000