Judges put up impressive performance in 2025

Nyore Madzianike-Senior Reporter

ALL superior courts and magistrates performed well last year, keeping backlogs under check despite a surge in cases brought before them, Chief Justice Luke Malaba has said.

Speaking at the official opening of the 2026 Legal Year in Harare, Chief Justice Malaba said all courts recorded higher volumes of cases last year compared to 2024 due to a heightened public awareness of legal rights, particularly in cases involving dishonesty.

“A bird’s eye view assessment of the performances of the courts shows that there were exceptional performances by judges across all the superior courts and by magistrates,” he said.

“The backlogs were kept under check in all courts during the course of the year. All the courts received increased numbers of both criminal and civil cases during the period under review when compared to the previous year.

“The observation made is that as the economy continues to improve, the enhanced economic activities also result in increased numbers of civil disputes and criminal cases, particularly those involving dishonesty such as fraud.”

Chief Justice Malaba said the increased numbers in civil cases was “also reflective of a society that has become highly aware of its rights and the fact that such rights can be vindicated in the courts”.

The rise in litigation places an obligation on the courts to respond by finalising cases efficiently to prevent the accumulation of backlogs.

Magistrates courts began the 2025 Legal Year with 7 315 criminal cases and closed with a balance of 7 701, increasing the backlog by 386 cases.

Chief Justice Malaba attributed the marginal rise largely to the festive season, when crime levels typically increase.

However, the civil division of the magistrates courts recorded a significant rise in backlog.

The courts started the year with 863 civil cases and closed with 6 174, an increase of 5 311 cases.

“It is a matter of concern that the backlog of civil cases in the magistrates’ court has increased,” Chief Justice Malaba said.

“The court received a high number of summons from local authorities during the last quarter of the year. Investigations have revealed that there has also been poor supervision of performance by the responsible officials in the hierarchy of the magistracy and unnecessary postponement of cases.

“Measures have now been put in place to ensure the court performs better”.

In contrast, superior courts recorded a strong performance, opening the year with 12 514 civil cases and closing with 10 045, implying a reduction of the backlog by 2 469 cases.

Chief Justice Malaba said by any standard, these statistics are impressive and reflective of judges together with support staff who applied themselves well.

“I would like to congratulate them on a job well done,” he said.

Chief Justice Malaba attributed the improved performance to several reforms, including the issuance of Practice Direction Number 1 of 2025, which authorised registrars to dispose of dormant cases where litigants had abandoned proceedings.

He also cited the establishment of special extraordinary circuit courts in the Midlands Province to clear a backlog of long-pending murder cases.

“Through the temporary deployment of additional judges, prosecutors and support staff to Gweru and Gokwe, a substantial number of these cases were finalised within a relatively short period, thereby addressing both the backlog and public apprehensions regarding delays in the determination of serious offences,” Chief Justice Malaba said.

The expanded role of the Judicial Service Commission’s research department also eased pressure on judges by providing bench memoranda, comparative law material and case summaries in complex matters.

“That development eased, in part, the heavy workload on judges. It is expected that, over time, it will translate into further strengthening of the quality, consistency and depth of jurisprudence,” Chief Justice Malaba added.

Other interventions included the establishment of special anti-drugs and substance abuse courts and the resuscitation of fast-track courts in all provinces, which helped accelerate the disposal of criminal cases.

Chief Justice Malaba said the resuscitation of fast-track courts in all provinces also contributed immensely to the disposal of a high number of criminal cases.

Despite the positive performance, Chief Justice Malaba warned that the judiciary continues to face a shortage of judges and magistrates.

The country presently has about 80 judges and 250 magistrates serving a population of more than 16 million people.

Chief Justice Malaba said such shortages were making those in post to operate under unbearable pressure.

“It may ultimately affect not only the quality of work, but also their health as well,” he said.

The 2026 Legal Year is running under the theme; “Using performance management and technology to ensure quality, inclusive and sustainable judicial service.”