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Crime Reporter
THE Midlands High Court Circuit has completed 60 cases during the first week of January 2025.
This special circuit court was established to address a backlog of over 500 cases dating back to 2019.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed the court’s achievements.
“The Midlands High Court Circuit has made significant progress in clearing its backlog of cases, completing 60 cases in its first week ending January 24, 2025. Last year, the same court completed 50 cases during the same period in the first circuit.”
A total of 24 offenders were found guilty of murder, receiving sentences ranging from 18 years to life while 24 charges were reduced to culpable homicide.
Twelve individuals were acquitted due to lack of evidence or insanity.
One case was withdrawn following the death of State witnesses.
The establishment of this special circuit court was a response to the backlog identified by Prosecutor General Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo during a visit to the Midlands Province early last year.
Following this assessment, the Chief Justice, Luke Malaba, authorised the creation of special circuit courts.
The first phase of this initiative, which took place in September 2024, was highly successful, completing nearly 140 cases with an impressive clearance rate of 90 percent.
According to the NPA, this initiative aims to expedite the resolution of cases, particularly those involving a high number of murder charges often related to artisanal miners and the use of lethal weapons, including knives and machetes.
Bongani Ndlovu