Chronicle Editor
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
DOMESTIC violence continues to be the leading cause of murder cases flooding the courts, a Bulawayo High Court judge has said.
Officially opening the first term of the Hwange circuit on Monday, Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Christopher Dube-Banda, bemoaned the increase in murder cases saying the criminal justice system needs to deal with the issue head-on.
“Killings and deaths arising from domestic violence are another scourge that society and the criminal justice system must confront head-on,” he said.
“Deaths arising from domestic violence are escalating and the brutality of these deaths is frightening. Dangerous and lethal weapons are used to end the life of a spouse.
“The courts will continue to mete appropriate and deterrent sentences against this type of crime. However, such is not a panacea to this problem,” said Justice Dube-Banda.
He called upon society to intervene by preaching and promoting peaceful resolutions of disputes among family members.
The High Court circuit, which will sit for two weeks, is set to hear 24 murder cases including one involving a mental health patient from Tsholotsho ,who strangled his one-year-old daughter before biting off her face while praying.
Another case of interest includes that of a 17-year-old juvenile, who struck his friend with an axe after a girl who was dating both rejected them.
Justice Dube-Banda, said the increase in sexual violence offences was a grave concern to the courts, arguing the justice system would continue passing deterrent sentences.
“Sexual violence is also a cause of concern and as the judiciary, we must talk about it. Rape is a repulsive crime. It is humiliating, degrading and a brutal invasion of the privacy of the victim,” he said.
“A woman has a right to give or withhold consent to sexual intercourse and that right must not be violated. We in the courts have seen cases of sexual violence escalating to frightening levels. This must stop because it has no place in our country.”
The judge also bemoaned the increase in armed robbery cases, which he described as a menace urging the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to play their roles while urging communities to desist from harbouring criminals.
Stock theft also remains a challenge in rural and farming areas, a development that was causing food insecurity and reducing economic growth.
“This vice negatively affects agricultural production by making livestock farming risky. Those who provide a market for stolen animals are fuelling this type of crime,” said Justice Dube-Banda.
“To those who commit this type of crime and those who provide a market for them, the courts are waiting for you with heavy and deterrent penalties. Make no mistake about this because crime will never have the last word,” warned the judge.
During the 2023 Hwange High Court circuit, 72 matters were set down for trial ,with 49 having been completed translating to a clearance rate of 68 percent. The court is also set to hear the case of a Gwelutshena man, who brutally killed an 87-year-old man by striking him several times on the head and legs with an axe after accusing him of burning down his homestead in a witchcraft scare. Another one involves a Binga man, who killed his friend by striking him with a log following a misunderstanding over a one-dollar joining fee at a gambling school.
The ceremony was attended by traditional leaders, service chiefs, senior Government officials, lawyers and other stakeholders.
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