Kwekwe High Court on track for commissioning

THE construction of the country’s sixth permanent High Court in Kwekwe is progressing well, with indications that the facility will be commissioned by June, marking a major boost to justice delivery in the Midlands Province.

The new High Court will be housed at the Kwekwe Court Complex, which is currently under construction and is expected to significantly ease the heavy caseload being handled by the Bulawayo High Court, where most criminal and civil matters from the Midlands are presently heard.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) said the establishment of a permanent High Court seat in Kwekwe will be a game-changer for the province while also decongesting the Bulawayo High Court.

In an interview, JSC spokesperson Mr Daniel Nemukuyu said once completed, the court would enhance access to justice and improve efficiency in the handling of cases.

“The sixth permanent High Court station will be established in Kwekwe. It will be accommodated in the new Kwekwe Court Complex, which is currently under construction. The complex will also include the magistrates’ court,” said Mr Nemukuyu.

He said construction was at an advanced stage, with roofing works completed and contractors now focusing on plastering and finishing.

“Our aim is to complete the work in the first-half of 2026. After completion of the court complex around mid-year, we will then open the Kwekwe High Court,” he said.

Officially opening the 2026 Legal Year, Chief Justice Luke Malaba confirmed that notable progress had been made on the Kwekwe Court Complex, which will comprise four courtrooms and 18 offices.

“The superstructure and roofing were completed. The contractor is now working on the finishing. The expectation is that the courthouse will be commissioned during the first half of the year,” said Chief Justice Malaba.

He said the completion of the complex will pave the way for the opening of the sixth seat of the High Court in Kwekwe, which will help address the growing number of serious cases in the Midlands Province.

“The extraordinary sittings of the High Court on circuit at Gweru and Gokwe were undertaken in an attempt to deal with the ever-increasing number of murder cases in the Midlands Province,” said Chief Justice Malaba.

He added that locating High Courts within magistrates’ court complexes does not preclude the Government and the JSC from constructing standalone High Court buildings in the future when resources allow.

Chief Justice Malaba also gave updates on other judicial infrastructure projects across the country.
He said construction of the Mabvuku-Tafara magistrates’ court complex had progressed well and, upon completion, will house 18 offices and associated facilities, with commissioning expected in the second quarter of 2026.

At Gwanda, the court complex project, which includes eight courtrooms, is also progressing well and expected to be completed this year.

In Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, construction of a courthouse comprising offices, a cell block and a guardhouse has progressed, although delays were experienced due to poor contractor performance, prompting arrangements to appoint a new contractor.

In Beitbridge, he said the magistrates’ court extension created an additional courtroom, civil court facilities and offices that will house an Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) hub.

In Bulawayo, work is ongoing on the expansion of the Cape to Cairo building, which accommodates the Sheriff’s Office, to provide additional offices, a boardroom for the JSC Secretariat and a Mediation Centre for the Southern Region.

“Together with ongoing work on the Sheriff’s infrastructure in Harare, these developments signal a consistent modernisation of court facilities in support of an accessible, efficient and technology-enabled justice delivery system,” said Chief Justice Malaba.

He emphasised that modern, accessible and properly equipped courts are a cornerstone of quality, inclusive and sustainable judicial services.