Story by Fungai Jachi
THE judiciary says it is ready to deal with politically motivated crimes during the election period, with 75 provincial magistrates having been selected to handle such cases.
With just 19 days left before Zimbabweans go to the polls, the judiciary says it is equally prepared to deal with politically related crimes.
In an interview on the sidelines of a swearing-in ceremony of new magistrates in Harare this Friday, Chief Magistrate Mrs Faith Mushure revealed that there is a magistrate in every district prepared to handle such cases.
“We are very prepared to deal with political violence in the courts and I am confident that the magistrates assigned can handle those cases. The Magistrates need to be conscious of their role as the guardians of law,” said Chief Magistrate, Faith Mushure.
She added that the newly sworn-in magistrates will help in easing the backlog of cases.
” I am confident that these new magistrates are up to the task and will assist to ensure there is no backlog. They were drawn from various areas with some coming from private practice while others worked in the JSC at other levels.”
The swearing-in of the 15 new magistrates comes at a time when the Judicial Service Commission is making strides in improving the justice delivery system, including the construction of more courthouses across the country, among other initiatives.
