Zimpapers Reporter

THE High Court in Bulawayo recorded a strong case disposal rate in 2025 despite a sustained inflow of matters, Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza has said.

Speaking on Monday while officially opening the 2026 legal year at the High Court in Bulawayo, Deputy Chief Justice Gwaunza said the Bulawayo Division of the High Court experienced particularly heavy volumes of work during the year under review.

“The Division of the High Court in Bulawayo commenced the year with an opening balance of 1 966 cases and received a further 1 648 matters during the course of the year, resulting in a total caseload of 3 640 matters,” she said.

Of these, 2 909 cases were finalised, leaving a closing balance of 705 matters.

Deputy Chief Justice Gwaunza noted that applications constituted the largest category of finalised cases, followed by summons-initiated matters, a trend she said reflected a growing reliance on motion proceedings for the resolution of disputes.

“Despite the sustained inflow of cases, the court achieved a high disposal rate, demonstrating a strong institutional response to increasing litigation pressures,” she said.

Turning to the High Court’s Family Division, Deputy Chief Justice Gwaunza said the division also recorded high activity levels.

LIVE: Deputy Chief Justice Gwaunza opens 2026 legal year in Bulawayo

“The Family Division opened the year with 1 221 matters and received an additional 1 826 cases, bringing the total workload to 3 047 matters,” she said.

By the end of 2025, 2 486 cases had been finalised, resulting in a closing balance of 561 matters.

Deputy Chief Justice Gwaunza said the statistical performance of courts in Bulawayo — covering the Supreme Court, the High Court and its divisions, the Magistrates Courts and the Labour Court — pointed to a justice delivery system under increasing pressure.

“A review of the statistics during the period under consideration reflects a sustained, and in several instances significant, increase in both civil and criminal litigation,” she said.

“Across superior courts and specialised courts, the volume of cases received during 2025 exceeded the opening balances, pointing to an active and engaged court-user population and a justice system that continues to be accessed as the primary forum for dispute resolution.”

On the performance of the Supreme Court sitting in Bulawayo, Deputy Chief Justice Gwaunza said the court opened the year with a balance of 33 matters and received a further 224 cases, bringing the total workload to 257 matters.

“Of these, 224 cases were finalised, resulting in a closing balance of 53 matters,” she said.

She added that appeals and ordinary chamber applications accounted for the bulk of the Supreme Court’s workload.

“While there was a marginal increase in the closing balance, the performance remains commendable in light of the complexity and nature of Supreme Court litigation,” said Deputy Chief Justice Gwaunza.