Hundreds attend JSC open day

Post Reporter
HUNDREDS of people from all walks of life attended the first ever Judicial Service Commission open day in Mutare to familiarise themselves with operations of the justice delivery system in the country. Several courts related institutions and departments from the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, High Court, Labour Court, Magistrates’ Court, Offices of the Sheriff and the Master of the High Court, showcased their operations to members of the public.

The expo, which ran under the theme: “Access to justice: Know your courts”, also saw legal practitioners, Law Society of Zimbabwe, law-based non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders interacting with the public.

Those interviewed during the expo which ran from 9am to 4pm last Saturday, said the event was an eye-opener.
They said the event helped to demystify the operations of the courts as well as fully equipping them with the knowledge of what to do in the event of a legal challenge.

“Personally, I was very scared of the courts because what quickly comes to my mind is imprisonment. However, after visiting several tents and receiving free knowledge of how the courts operate I now have an informed view of how the justice delivery system works. I used to believe that when a person gets arrested by the police it automatically means they are destined for prison, but today I now understand that a person is innocent until proven guilty. I now know the difference between allegations that usually result in one’s arrest and what it means to be convicted.

“I would like to thank those who organised this event for a job well done because a lot of people are on the receiving end because they do not know how the courts work,” said Mrs Regina Sithole from Chikanga.

Another woman from Sakubva who requested anonymity said she wanted to really know the operations of the Sheriff of the High Court which is notorious for attaching people’s properties.

“I now know what happens when they attach your property over unpaid debts. I also know how you can deal with the situation. I used to have a negative attitude towards this office but I know appreciate its operations,” she said.