Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
PROSECUTOR-GENERAL Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo has challenged prosecutors to rigorously scrutinise dockets and return poorly investigated cases to the police for further work, saying this is key to achieving a 100 percent conviction rate.
Speaking during the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) strategy review workshop currently underway in Mutare, Justice Matanda-Moyo said prosecutors should only take fully prepared and evidence-backed cases to court.
“We must deepen operational cooperation and synergy with the police, medical professionals and social service providers to secure airtight forensic evidence and protect witnesses from secondary trauma,” she said.
Justice Matanda-Moyo said high conviction rates are attainable if prosecutors thoroughly vetted all dockets before enrolling cases for trial.
“I have always maintained that it is possible to achieve a 100 percent conviction rate if we properly scrutinise our dockets. If, as prosecutors, we only take cases that are trial-ready to court, we can attain that target,” she said.
She warned that taking poorly investigated cases to court undermined the justice delivery system and disadvantaged victims.
“Where we take ill-investigated dockets into court, we are doing a disservice to our clients. We must not shy away from sending dockets back to the police with clear instructions on the evidence that still needs to be gathered before the matter is brought before the courts,” she said.
Justice Matanda-Moyo urged prosecutors to prioritise quality investigations over speed, stressing that the ultimate objective was to ensure justice is served.
“Let us not rush into the courts. Let us make sure justice is served,” she said.
Decline prosecuting half-baked dockets, PG tells prosecutors
