Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
The Government is committed to improving justice delivery while ensuring citizens’ safety through effective law enforcement, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Nobert Mazungunye has said.
He was speaking at a week-long Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) steering committee workshop held in Kadoma last week, which brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Justice Ministry, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Law Society of Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
It served as a platform to assess progress, identify challenges, and refine strategies for strengthening justice delivery.
Said Deputy Minister Mazungunye: “This Committee is a vital part of the JLOS structure, providing policy guidance to enhance the smooth operation of the mechanism.
“Therefore, it was essential to convene this meeting to direct the JLOS for effective implementation of their work.”
Discussions focused on improving JLOS functionality, making policy decisions, and addressing anticipated challenges within the sector. The Government advocates a holistic approach to justice delivery.
Justice Ministry Permanent Secretary Mrs Vimbai Nyemba reiterated the importance of involving all relevant parties: “We take a whole-of-government approach, recognising that promoting justice and human rights cannot be the responsibility of one institution alone.”
Mrs Rebecca Musimwa, regulation manager at the Law Society of Zimbabwe, highlighted issues with unregulated and unregistered legal societies and debt collectors, which mislead the public and undermine the work of registered practitioners. “Many legal aid societies and debt collectors are not registered with the relevant authorities and are therefore not legally permitted to offer services.
“This has caused confusion for the public, who often seek redress from the Law Society. We hope policymakers will address these challenges promptly.”
Sanyati district public prosecutor Ms Gracious Chamunika said the workshop provided an excellent opportunity for sector players to identify legal gaps and propose recommendations, with the expectation that these issues will be presented to lawmakers.
