adminNyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
Candidates aspiring to take public office during the forthcoming harmonised elections should not be tempted to use unorthodox means or violence, but must campaign peacefully to enable voters to exercise their will freely.
High Court judge Justice Joseph Musakwa said this on Monday at the Mutare Magistrates’ Court during the opening of the legal year for the Mutare High Court circuit. Justice Musakwa, who indicated that this might be the last time Mutare High Court operates as a circuit court, urged aspiring candidates to take heed of President Mnangagwa’s call for free and fair elections.
“This year also marks the holding of harmonised elections,” he said. “Elections entail that those who aspire for public office engage the public to win their support. Since election is a game of numbers, there may be a temptation to use underhand methods and violence to woo the electorate.
“We note that the Head of State has assured that elections will be conducted in a peaceful manner. We urge those that aspire for public office to campaign peacefully so that the general public exercises its will freely.”
Justice Musakwa called for the revamping of the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s forensic department, which he said should have an electronic management system for fingerprint data. He said forensic science was a vital tool in the investigation of crime.
“Because of the under-sourcing of this area, a number of crimes may go undetected,” he said. “Even if detected, the quality of evidence is very low. Sexual offences, robbery, assault and murder cases greatly need forensic evidence.” Justice Musakwa said he hoped the new dispensation would resource the police’s forensic arm.
“The alternative of contracting other laboratories is hardly resorted to on account of the cost involved,” he said. “Hopefully under the new dispensation something is going to be done to resource the forensic section of the police. I urge police to continue lobbying for the necessary intervention.”
Justice Musakwa hinted that a training programme would be rolled out to train personnel who would be tasked to run special courts that dealt with corruption.
The special courts were expected to start in the first quarter of this year. Justice Musakwa emphasised the need to strengthen institutions that fight against corruption, saying it helped tackling the scourge.
“For example, if they are under resourced and the personnel are not adequately remunerated it will always be difficult to effectively tackle the scourge,” he said.
“This is because those involved in corrupt acts are willing to invest in suppressing their misdeeds.” Mutare High Court is under construction and is nearing completion.
Justice Musakwa said decentralisation of the High Court to Mutare would be a great development as it makes justice easily accessible.
Online Reporter