Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has invested US$7 million into the growing frame of the Gwanda Magistrates Court in Matabeleland South, with another US$3 million still required to bring the project to completion before the end of the year.
What now rises on the outskirts of the provincial capital is more than a construction site — it is a promise slowly taking shape, a long-delayed dream finally gaining momentum.
Speaking on Saturday during a visit to the site, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Protection Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube described the project as crucial to improving the delivery of justice in the province. His presence underscored the weight of the moment, a sign of how seriously the Second Republic regards the transformation of the country’s justice system.
The construction of the court complex fits seamlessly into the Second Republic’s wider effort, led by President Mnangagwa, to modernise Zimbabwe’s justice infrastructure and bring dignity to institutions long forced to make do with inadequate facilities. Its completion resonates deeply with the President’s development philosophy of ‘leaving no one and no place behind,’ a mantra that has found physical expression in this rising structure of brick and steel.
Now 60 percent complete, the project is expected to house the nation’s sixth High Court, a development set to change the rhythm of justice delivery in Matabeleland South. At the moment, the Magistrates Court in Gwanda functions from the cramped District Development Co-ordinator’s offices, a makeshift setup it has endured for nearly two decades — years defined by limited space, quiet frustration, and the inevitable disruptions that come with operating in unsuitable premises.
“Access to justice is a key pillar within NDS2, and we are determined to complete this court complex soon. We are determined to have it completed by the end of the year. We are pleased by the progress, and it’s now at the roofing level. Once the roofing is done, they can start working on other works inside, such as plumbing, tubing.
The Department of Public Works has also confirmed that the funds have been flowing at the right pace. I have advised my Treasury team that we have to pick up the pace so that we can complete this court,” he said.
His words carried the conviction of someone who knows what it means to restore dignity to both the officials who work in the justice system and the communities that rely on it.
Prof Ncube noted that the court’s new location would give justice officials the environment they deserve — one that supports their work, uplifts morale and reflects the gravity of the decisions made within its walls. He emphasised that the complex would also help stimulate local economic growth, serving as both a symbolic and practical investment in the region’s future.
“We have spent just over US$7 million in building this court complex, and we are left with about US$3 million to go, and we plan to release these funds in the coming few months as we drive towards its completion. We will use about US$10 million to get this court to a point where it’s usable,” he said.
He also confirmed that housing for court officials would be constructed, a step that will anchor legal professionals within the community and ensure consistent service delivery.
Once complete, the Gwanda Magistrates Complex will be a modern, expansive facility expected to accommodate around 500 Government workers. It will gather together all departments in the justice system under one roof and introduce a High Court to the district — a development that will keep serious cases, such as murder and divorce, within the province. This will bring an end to long journeys and extended delays, offering faster justice and deeper community trust. The complex will also include a magistrate’s court and a regional court. Matabeleland South Public Works deputy director and structural engineer, Mr Martin Mukoroverwa, said the pace of construction had quickened thanks to steady and improved funding.
“The structure is almost complete, and what’s left is to roof. If we continue receiving funds at this pace, we will manage to complete this project by end of October. Fortunately, Minister Mthuli Ncube has assured us that funds will be released timeously and what we have to do is release projections on time. After roofing, we will work on the car park and access road. Also pending are the civil works, which we have already started. Mechanical works are also pending,” said Mr Mukoroverwa.
His update carried the tone of a man who has waited years to finally see uninterrupted progress. Since construction began in June 2004, the project has stopped and started repeatedly — first stalling in 2008, briefly resuming in 2019, then halting again before its most recent restart in April 2022 when fresh Government funding breathed life back into it.
Gwanda, a provincial capital known for its quiet resilience, has long operated without a purpose-built court building. Justice officials have been pressed into improvised corners of various Government offices, their work scattered and constrained by circumstance. Now, at last, the outline of a long-promised transformation is beginning to solidify — a modern court complex rising from the dusty ground, carrying with it the hope of timely justice, restored dignity, and a more efficient future for the people of Matabeleland South.
-@DubeMatutu
