High Court for Chinhoyi

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter

A new permanent High Court will on Friday be established in Chinhoyi in line with Government’s efforts to decentralise the justice delivery system.

The new High Court seat was established by Chief Justice Luke Malaba and was published in last week’s Government Gazette under General Notice 2525.

“It is hereby notified that the Chief Justice of Zimbabwe has, in terms of section 47 of the High Court Act [Chapter 7:06], directed the establishment of a permanent High Court seat at Chinhoyi with effect from 3rd September, 2021,” Chief Justice Malaba said in the notice.

The establishment of a permanent High Court seat in Chinhoyi brings to five the number cities with permanent seats.

The others are in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo and Mutare.

Government has prioritised decentralisation of the courts to ensure ease of access to justice for citizens.

The establishment of the High Court in Chinhoyi comes on the backdrop of the construction of a new state-of-the-art magistrates’ court building in Mashonaland West’s provincial capital.

In his speech during the official opening of the 2021 legal year early this year, Chief Justice Malaba said the new building would also house the High Court and offices of the Master of the High Court.

In its 2020-2025 strategic plan, the Judicial Services Commission noted that establishment of courts within communities was priority to enhance justice delivery.