The Midlands Province, particularly Gokwe, is bracing for a historic legal intervention as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) deploys a contingent of five High Court judges to tackle a staggering backlog of murder cases.
The unprecedented move, announced by Midlands Provincial Public Prosecutor Samuel Pedzisayi, will see the judges preside over a total of 150 murder cases in a three-week circuit, beginning on September 9th.
This extraordinary measure comes in response to a dramatic surge in murder cases across the Midlands, particularly in Gokwe, where unregulated mining activities and rampant drug abuse have contributed to a rise in violence and mental health issues.
“Normally JSC deploys one judge on circuit to the Province for two weeks,” explained Pedzisayi.
“Unlike the traditional High Court circuit which runs for two weeks, this circuit will run for three weeks and five High Court judges will be deployed to handle over 150 murder cases. Three judges will be deployed in Gweru while two others will preside over murder cases in Gokwe.”
The scale of the operation is unprecedented. Ninety murder cases will be tried in Gweru, while Gokwe will host the hearings for 60 cases. The JSC has made extensive arrangements to ensure the smooth running of the circuit, including securing transport and accommodation for the judges, witnesses, and accused persons.
“Police have been roped in and they are already on the ground serving witnesses with subpoenas to appear in court and locating accused persons,” said National Prosecution Authority spokesperson Angeline Munyeriwa.
“Witness quarters have been sorted out for both Gokwe and Gweru with travelling expenses and other logistics also having been finalised.”
The deployment of five judges represents a significant commitment to addressing the backlog of murder cases, which has left families seeking justice facing lengthy delays and mounting expenses. This initiative is a testament to the JSC’s dedication to ensuring a fair and timely justice system for all citizens.
Among the high-profile cases set to be heard during the circuit are those of Peter Dube, a Gweru resident facing two murder charges and two attempted murder counts. Dube is accused of shooting two people and injuring two others before fleeing the country.
The three-week circuit promises to be a crucial step towards addressing the backlog of murder cases in the Midlands.
