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The Midlands High Court Circuit has cleared its backlog by completing 60 cases during the first week of January 2025.
This special circuit court was established in response to a backlog of over 500 cases dating back to as far as 2019.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed the development in a statement.
“The Midlands High Court Circuit has made significant progress in clearing its backlog of cases, completing 60 cases in its first week ending January 24, 2025,” it reads the statement.
“The same court completed 50 cases in the same period in the first circuit last year. Of these, 24 offenders were found guilty of murder and received sentences ranging from 18 years to life.
“Another 24 had their charges reduced to culpable homicide, while 12 were acquitted due to lack of evidence or insanity. One case was withdrawn due to the death of State witnesses.
“The first phase, which took place in September 2024, was highly successful, completing just under 140 cases with an impressive clearance rate of 90 percent.”
According to NPA, this initiative seeks to expedite the resolution of cases, with particular attention to the disproportionately high number of murder cases frequently involving artisanal miners and the use of lethal weapons, including knives and machetes.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter