Story by Fungai Jachi
A new magistrates’ court is being constructed in Harare’s Mabvuku suburb with the community confident the decentralisation of courts will improve access to justice and boost public confidence in the judiciary.
“Mabvuku residents as well as the surrounding communities have welcomed the development in their area saying it will ease the burden of travelling long distances to courts.
“There were many cases that we would not follow up on because we would have transport challenges but this development will ease our burden,” said a resident.
“We want to thank government for ensuring that such services are decentralized,” another resident said.
Others believe it will reduce the crime rate in the area.
“I think criminals will now be afraid to commit crimes because they will know the court is close by,” noted a resident.
“Some took advantage of the fact that courts were far but now knowing that it will be close I am sure they will be scared,” a resident added on.
The JSC is on a drive to increase access to justice and this being done through the construction of courts countrywide.
