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Conrad Mupesa
Mash West Bureau
The new Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court building, which is 90 percent complete, will be handed over to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) in March next year and be used by both the magistrates assigned to the town and by High Court judges, Chief Justice Luke Malaba said yesterday after touring the complex.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Judge President George Chiweshe, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Deputy Commissioner-General Dr Alford Mashango Dube and officials from the JSC.
The construction of the court started more than two years ago, but progress has been slow because of intermittent funding and the Covid-19-induced lockdown.
The building, with basement compartments will have 53 offices, 23 on the ground floor and 30 on the first floor, eight courtrooms, eight holding cells, eight detention cells, two libraries, four kitchens, four storerooms and two strong rooms.
“This is one of our flagship projects in the JSC. When we started undertaking the construction of the court house in 2018, it did look like an impossible task,” said the Chief Justice.
“When I first visited this place then, the condition of this structure was depressing. This massive beautiful structure had been left to simply collapse. But because of our vision, we did not look at those conditions and to us as the JSC because of the new ethics, new vision and ways of doing business either on our own or in collaboration we decided to overcome,” he said.
“This is my third visit and I am happy. My fourth visit in March will involve cheers and toasting,” said Justice Malaba.
He applauded the JSC and public works department for being accountable to the public and the main contractor, Hua Long Construction, for its commitment to the project.
“The contractor has been forthcoming and cooperating hence the good work. Some contractors get contracts and funds from the Government, but fail to honour their obligations thereby prejudicing the nation,” he said.
“The contractor has assured us together with the officers from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, who are in charge of this building and its construction and development, that the building would be completed within three months and they will hand it over in March.”
Chief Justice Malaba said the JSC complex would also offer High Court services.
Justice George Chiweshe said the courthouse would offer better conditions for people in the province.
“The building is spacious and I think it will provide the right environment for the work. I am pleased to note that a section of this court has been reserved for the High Court,” he said.
He said the JSC should strive to deliver structures, facilities, and human capital to facilitate justice delivery to all.
The new courts are expected to ease space challenges during court sittings and for the staff members, who are using the old Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital that has only three courtrooms and a few rooms being used as offices.
Court sessions are sometimes conducted at the Makonde district administrator’s offices while the civil courts, including one court room and the clerks’ office, are housed at another Government complex.
The representative of the contractor, Mr Zhang, said although he envisaged to finish the project within three months, he called for timely disbursement of funds.
Online Reporter
leeroy