Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
The training of senior judicial officers and prosecutors under the Special Anti-Drug and Substance Court Programme is a significant step towards aligning the justice system with the national strategy to combat drug and substance abuse, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has said.
Minister Ziyambi was speaking during a training session for judicial officers in Harare this morning.
He commended the Judicial Service Commission and the Prosecutor General’s office for organising the training, which he said reflects the Whole of Government Approach in tackling the drug scourge.
“The President launched a multi-sectoral drug-resistance abuse response, and the justice sector is part of that response,” said Minister Ziyambi.
“In trying to be part of the programme, the justice sector has organised this training so that we have standardised sentencing and prosecution of those involved in drug and substance abuse.”
He praised the collaboration between the Chief Justice and the Prosecutor-General, who jointly spearheaded the initiative to equip magistrates and prosecutors nationwide with the tools to handle drug-related cases more effectively.
“So this is a welcome development. The Chief Justice and the Prosecutor General are working together to contribute towards this multi-sectoral approach in dealing with drug and substance abuse,” he said.
Minister Ziyambi also highlighted that the training will enhance consistency in sentencing through the Special Anti-Drug and Substance Courts.
“This training session will standardise how sentencing is done for such crimes,” said Minister Ziyambi.
