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Regional courts see 22 percent decline in criminal cases: Chief Justice

Chief Justice Luke Malaba has commended the judiciary for its performance during the 2024 legal year and also noted a significant decline in criminal cases received by the regional criminal courts compared to 2023.

Speaking at the official opening of the 2025 legal year at the Bulawayo High Court on Monday, Chief Justice Malaba provided a detailed statistical review of the courtsโ€™ performance in 2024, highlighting both successes and areas for sustained improvement.

He noted that the consolidated total of criminal cases received in the regional courts during 2024 stood at 6 375 with an additional 500 cases reintroduced, representing a 22 percent decline compared to the 8 777 cases received in 2023.

โ€œBased on the above figures, the number of criminal cases that ultimately reached the regional courts for determination fell by 22 percent in 2024,โ€ said Chief Justice Malaba.

He further highlighted that the regional courts completed 7 284 criminal cases in 2024, compared to 10 953 cases finalised in 2023, reflecting a lower volume of cases handled.

โ€œEqually so, the Regional Division of the magistratesโ€™ court completed a total of 7 284 criminal cases during the period under review, which is relatively less than the year 2023, in which 10 953 cases were finalised,โ€ said the chief justice.

The Chief Justice also praised the superior courts, including the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, High Court, Labour Court, and Administrative Court, for their commendable performance in 2024.

โ€œThe performance of all superior courts has been commendable, demonstrating the dedication and commitment of the judges,โ€ he said, singling out the Labour Court for overcoming previous challenges. 

โ€œHowever, at a similar occasion in 2024, concerns were raised regarding the Labour Courtโ€™s performance, which had fallen below expectations. A commitment was made to engage with the judges to address the challenges impeding optimal performance and to improve the court’s operations.โ€

Malaba said recent statistics now reveal a significant and commendable improvement in the Labour Courtโ€™s performance.

โ€œThe judges are to be congratulated for their positive response to the call for enhanced efficiency, with the expectation that this progress will be sustained in the future,โ€ he said.

The Bulawayo High Court, which faced performance challenges in previous years, was also acknowledged by Malaba for its turnaround following leadership changes at the station.

โ€œIt is important to note that the Bulawayo High Court station had also faced challenges related to poor performance in previous years. In response to this, several interventions were implemented, including a change in leadership at the station,โ€ he said.

โ€œIt is heartening to observe a complete turnaround in the performance of the Bulawayo High Court, which serves as a vindication of the decisions made regarding that station.โ€

The Chief Justice presented detailed statistics on the performance of superior courts in 2024:

CourtCases brought forward as at 01/01/24Received TotalCompletedCases Carried forward as at 30/ 11/2024Clearance Rate
Constitutional Court 276592692375%
Supreme Court 29186293222122181%
High Court58832 27232 04581581598%
Labour Court59819032 10839339384%
Administrative Court12 42 54 13 1376%
Grand Total151635 14436 66014651465 96%

The overall clearance rate for superior courts stood at an impressive 96 percent.

The Chief Justice also said provincial courts recorded strong performance metrics in both criminal and civil cases.

โ€œIn provincial courts, the civil clearance rate by the end of November 2024 was 99 percent. 820 civil matters were brought forward from the year 2023 into 2024,โ€ Malaba said.

โ€œ115 458 were received and 6 120 were re-introduced bringing the caseload of civil cases to a grand total of 122 398. Out of these, 121 503 civil cases were completed. In that regard, the clearance rate in the civil courts is encouraging.โ€

In provincial criminal courts, a total of 79 769 new cases were received.

โ€œ3 651 cases were reintroduced and 85 274 cases were finalised during the year 2024. A clearance rate of 94 percent was recorded during the period under review compared to a 93 percent clearance rate noted during the year 2023, said Malaba who congratulated โ€œall judicial officers and court staff for the pleasing work done.โ€

Lulu Brenda Harris

Lulu Brenda Harris is a seasoned senior news reporter at CITE. Harris writes on politics, migration, health, education, environment, conservation and sustainable development. Her work has helped keep the public informed, promoting accountability and transparency in Zimbabwe.

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