Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has spent US$7 million on the construction of the Gwanda Magistrates Court in Matabeleland South, with a further US$3 million required to complete the project before year end.
Speaking on Saturday during a visit to the site, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Protection Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the project was critical to improving the delivery of an effective justice system in the province.
The construction of the court complex forms part of the Second Republic’s broader drive, led by President Mnangagwa, to modernise and enhance the country’s justice infrastructure. Its completion aligns with President Mnangagwa’s “leaving no one and no place behind” development mantra.
The project, now 60 percent complete, is expected to house the country’s sixth High Court once finished.
Currently, the Magistrates Court in Gwanda operates from the District Development Coordinator’s offices, where it has been based for nearly 20 years, resulting in limited space and disrupted service delivery.
“Access to justice is a key pillar within NDS2 and we are determined to complete this court complex soon. We are determined to have it completed by the end of the year. We are pleased by the progress and it’s now at roofing level.
“Once the roofing is done they can start working on other works inside such as plumbing, tubing. The Department of Public Works has also confirmed that the funds have been flowing at the right pace.
I have advised my Treasury team that we have to pick up pace so that we can complete this court,” he said.
Prof Ncube said the location of the new court would provide justice officials with a sense of dignity and improved working conditions, boosting morale.
He added that the court complex would act as a catalyst for local economic development and was part of the Second Republic’s commitment to delivering modern, state of the art infrastructure.
“We have spent just over US$7 million in building this court complex and we are left with about US$3 million to go and we plan to release these funds in the coming few months as we drive towards it completion. We will use about US$10 million to get this court to a point where it’s usable,” he said.
Prof Ncube also confirmed that housing for court officials would be constructed to ensure they are locally based.
The Gwanda Magistrates Complex is a state of the art facility expected to accommodate approximately 500 Government workers once complete.
It will house all departments within the court system as well as a High Court, which will allow serious cases such as murder and divorce to be handled locally. This is expected to improve turnaround times and strengthen justice delivery.
The complex will also include a magistrate’s court and regional court. Matabeleland South Public Works deputy director and structural engineer, Mr Martin Mukoroverwa, said the pace of the project had accelerated due to improved funding disbursements.
He said the project had reached roofing level, with the structural component completed and all mechanical and electrical materials delivered on site.
“The structure is almost complete and what’s left is to roof. If we continue receiving funds at this pace we will manage to complete this project by end of October. Fortunately, Minister Mthuli Ncube has assured us funds will be released timeously and what we have to do is release projections on time.
After roofing we will work on the car park and access road. Also pending are the civil works, which we have already started. Mechanical works are also pending,” said Mr Mukoroverwa.
Construction of the Gwanda Magistrates Court began in June 2004 but stalled in 2008 due to financial constraints. Work resumed briefly in 2019 before stopping again, and later restarted in April 2022 after Government allocated fresh resources.
Gwanda, the provincial capital of Matabeleland South, currently lacks a proper court structure, forcing officials to operate from makeshift facilities spread across various Government offices. — @DubeMatutu
Bongani Ndlovu