Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Herald Correspondent
PROSECUTOR-GENERAL Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo has urged prosecutors and private legal practitioners to work together in pursuit of justice, calling for professionalism, competence and integrity across the justice delivery system.
Speaking at a training engagement attended by members of the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) and senior advocates recently, the Prosecutor-General expressed deep appreciation to legal practitioners who volunteered their time to capacitate State prosecutors.
She commended the advocates for sacrificing billable hours and lucrative work to contribute to national service, describing their gesture as a demonstration of commitment to justice and the rule of law.
“We do not stand as opponents today, but as compatriots on the side of justice,” she said.
“The only thing we are opposing is ignorance.”
The training brought together prosecutors, senior counsel and members of the NPAZ Board, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen prosecutorial capacity and improve the quality of justice delivery.
She highlighted the unique burden placed on prosecutors, noting that, unlike defence lawyers, prosecutors do not choose their cases and are constitutionally bound to serve the public interest.
“Our duty is not to secure convictions at all costs, but to ensure fairness and that justice is done,” she said, adding that prosecutors must always strive to be both correct and fair in their conduct.
Quoting former Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay, she underscored the ethical responsibility of prosecutors to uphold the law with honesty and integrity to maintain public confidence in the justice system.
She also spoke of the importance of constitutional provisions, including the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence, urging prosecutors to move beyond theoretical knowledge and demonstrate practical understanding in the courtroom.
The Prosecutor-General said a fair trial is built through proper drafting of charges, full disclosure and honest examination of witnesses, adding that incompetence or delays in prosecution erode public trust.
She further called for an end to the perception that prosecutors and defence lawyers are adversaries, describing both as “guardians of the same justice delivery system.”
“Justice is not a gladiator sport; it is a shared project,” she said.
The NPAZ has introduced several reforms aimed at improving efficiency, including digitalisation of court systems, provision of laptops to prosecutors and expanded access to legal research tools.
Looking ahead, Justice Matanda -Moyo said her vision is to produce highly skilled, confident and ethical prosecutors capable of handling complex cases in superior courts.
She concluded by urging both prosecutors and advocates to uphold mutual respect and work collectively to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent justice system for all Zimbabweans.
