Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will establish a permanent Labour Court in Mutare from January 1, 2027, bringing labour dispute hearings closer to workers and employers in Manicaland and surrounding provinces.
Acting Senior Judge of the Labour Court, Justice Godfrey Musariri announced the decision in General Notice 1373 of 2026, published in the Government Gazette.
“It is hereby notified that the Acting Senior Judge of the Labour Court, in consultation with the Chief Justice (Elizabeth Gwaunza), has, in terms of section 91 of the Labour Act, directed the establishment of a permanent Labour Court seat at Mutare with effect from 1st January, 2027,” reads the General Notice.
The development has drawn support from labour activists and legal practitioners, who say a permanent court will reduce litigation costs and improve access to justice.
Workers and employers in Manicaland often travelled to Harare to pursue or defend labour cases, incurring transport, accommodation and legal expenses.
Although the Labour Court conducted circuit sittings in Mutare, its limited presence meant litigants still faced delays and additional costs.
Commercial and labour law expert, Mr Passmore Nyakureba, said a permanent court will speed up the resolution of labour disputes.
He said the existing circuit arrangement provided services for approximately six weeks annually despite the province’s substantial demand for labour dispute hearings.
“The establishment of a permanent Labour Court seat in Mutare is a welcome development that is going to alleviate many of the challenges faced by litigants accessing the Labour Court. Given the size of the timber and tea plantation industries, as well as the mining sector in Manicaland Province, which collectively employ significant numbers of people,
Mutare has substantial volume of labour disputes requiring the attention of the court. Over the years, both employers and employees have had to travel to Harare to have their matters heard, often incurring considerable costs. Although the court periodically conducted circuit sittings in Mutare, these were limited to approximately two weeks per term, averaging only six weeks in a year.
“This arrangement inevitably created challenges in accessing justice, particularly in terms of the financial costs of litigation and the timely and speedy resolution of disputes. The situation was therefore not conducive to the full realisation of the constitutional right of access to justice. We accordingly welcome this development, which has been long overdue and look forward to its positive impact on the administration of labour justice in Manicaland and surrounding provinces,” said Mr Nyakureba.
Zimbabwe Urban Councils Workers Union Manicaland provincial administrator, Mr Dickson Chaeruka, also welcomed the decision, saying workers and employers will benefit from having the court closer home.
“The Labour Court has been serving the people of Manicaland Province through circuit sessions. In between the circuits litigants had to go to Harare for the service. Litigation then was costly because of expenses such as transport costs and accommodation. As a result of that we had scenarios were workers had to abandon their cases. This discouraged litigation especially for aggrieved workers.
“Now that justice has been brought closer home, it means justice will be cheaper and more accessible for the workers and even the employer,” said Mr Chaeruka.
The JSC has been decentralising court services by establishing registries and permanent hearing locations in different provinces to reduce travel costs and improve access to justice.
In Manicaland, the Commission also plans to establish courts in Sakubva and Dangamvura suburbs.
A Regional Court recently opened in Nyanga, allowing cases involving serious offences, including armed robbery and rape, to be heard locally rather than transferred to Rusape.
Last week, the JSC announced plans to open six new courts in high-density areas across the country.
The programme includes facilities in Mabvuku, Harare, and Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, alongside major developments in Gwanda, Kwekwe, Beitbridge and Guruve.
Mr Chikwana said the projects formed part of broader efforts to decentralise judicial services and address growing demand in areas where existing courts faced pressure.
The largest project is the multi-purpose Gwanda Court in Matabeleland South. The facility, which has reached roof level, will house the High Court, Labour Court, Sheriff’s Office and Magistrates’ Court.
Mutare gets permanent Labour Court
