By Dumisani Ndlovu
Zimbabwe’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has launched a multi-faceted approach to tackle the growing number of outstanding cases in the country.
Prosecutor General Loice Matanda-Moyo revealed that the NPA is working closely with various departments, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, to achieve this goal.
“As the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied,” Matanda-Moyo emphasized. “Matters must be tried on time, which means we shouldn’t be having any backlogs.”
To address the backlog, the NPA has established guidelines for inter-agency collaboration, introduced a zero-tolerance policy for postponements, and is working to build new magistrates’ courts. The authority is prioritizing the reduction of murder case backlogs in the Midlands province, aiming to clear 150 cases in just three weeks with the help of five assigned judges.
Matanda-Moyo outlined the NPA’s strategic plan, highlighting the importance of efficient investigation and prosecution. “If a matter is minor, it must be disposed of within 14 days,” she said. “For semi-hard cases, we need a month, and for complicated ones, at least three months.”
The NPA is also implementing procedures to avoid wasting time on unnecessary witnesses and irrelevant questions. Additionally, the Judiciary Service Commission is working to improve infrastructure, including building a permanent High Court in Gweru or Kwekwe and a new magistrates’ court in Kwekwe.
