24 convicted of murder in one week in the Midlands

TWENTY-FOUR individuals have been convicted of murder and sentenced to between 18 years and life imprisonment, following a remarkable week of progress at the Midlands High Court Circuit.

The court has been tackling a significant backlog of cases, clearing 60 murder cases in just seven days.

This impressive effort also resulted in 12 acquittals.

This represents a significant improvement compared to the same period last year’s first circuit, which saw 50 cases resolved.

In an update on Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA) reported that, of the cases concluded in the week ending January 24, 24 offenders were found guilty of murder and received sentences ranging from 18 years to life imprisonment.

Another 24 individuals had their charges reduced to culpable homicide, while 12 were acquitted due to insufficient evidence or insanity.

“One case was withdrawn due to the death of State witnesses,” the NPA said.

The special circuit court was established in response to a backlog of over 500 cases, some dating back to 2019. These were identified by Prosecutor General, Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo, during her visit to the Midlands Province early last year.

Following the visit, Chief Justice, Luke Malaba, authorised the creation of special circuit courts to expedite the resolution of these cases.

The first phase, conducted in September 2024, was highly successful, resolving nearly 140 cases with an impressive 90 percent clearance rate.

“This initiative seeks to expedite the resolution of these cases, with particular attention to the disproportionately high number of murder cases frequently involving artisanal miners and the use of lethal weapons, including knives and machetes,” the NPA added.

Speaking at the official opening of the 2025 legal year in Bulawayo, Chief Justice Luke Malaba expressed concern over the high number of unresolved murder cases in the Midlands.

He noted that the Bulawayo High Court had to sit on circuit in Gweru to clear 137 cases last year.

He said the high number of murder cases in the Midlands prompted the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to set up an extraordinary circuit as public confidence in the justice system was waning.