Midlands province High Court circuit special court achieves impressive conviction rate
By Dumisani Ndlovu
Zimbabwe’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPAZ) has announced a remarkable achievement in the fight against crime, with the special High Court circuit in Midlands province recording an impressive 91% conviction rate. This milestone is a testament to the NPAZ’s commitment to delivering timely and equitable justice.
The special court, established to tackle the province’s alarming backlog of murder cases, has made significant strides. Midlands has unfortunately earned the title of Zimbabwe’s murder capital, with most cases involving deadly weapons like knives and machetes.
Prosecutor General Loyce Matanda-Moyo hailed the court’s performance as a significant step forward in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system. “We successfully disposed of a substantial number of cases, demonstrating our commitment to restoring public trust through just, effective, and timely prosecution,” she stated.
Matanda-Moyo noted that the court completed 91% of the cases set down for trial, with only a few unable to be tried due to witness location issues. This achievement underscores the NPAZ’s efforts to address the pressing issue of violent crime in Zimbabwe.
The NPAZ also bid farewell to two dedicated employees: Evelyn Dorothy Chinyemba, who served as a registry assistant for 43 years, and Thokozana Manata, who served as an officer for 19 years after being seconded from the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
This achievement is a beacon of hope for the people of Midlands province, knowing that justice is being served. The special court’s impressive conviction rate demonstrates the NPAZ’s unwavering commitment to combating crime and ensuring that perpetrators face the full force of the law.
