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Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku

Daniel Nemukuyu in Victoria Falls
Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku yesterday commissioned a new magistrates’ court building in Victoria Falls.

The development is part of measures by Government to ensure access to justice by everyone in Zimbabwe.

The building, valued at $370 000, was constructed with financial assistance from the Royal Danish Embassy.

The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing provided technical support. Two magistrates are stationed at Victoria Falls court, but there was only one courtroom and one office for the magistrates.

The two magistrates would take turns to preside over cases, a development that resulted in a backlog of cases. The clerk of court, accounting assistants, interpreters and typists were squashed in a tiny room.

JSC’s new state-of-the art structure has two air-conditioned courtrooms, two fully furnished magistrates’ offices, records room, help desk room, police post, and offices for prosecutors and the prison officers.

Officially opening the court yesterday, Chief Justice Chidyausiku hailed the Danish Embassy and the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for their support in the construction of the building.

“Together with DANIDA, the Ministry of Local Government has been with us right from the beginning, providing technical support. They drew the architectural designs of the buildings, identified contractors and adjudicated on the construction tenders and inspected the various stages of the building as a quality control measure.

“The Danish were brave enough to trust us, an arm of the State when the whole country was not only under sanctions but there was little, if any direct aid being given to the State. I wish to thank the Danish for that gesture. You trusted us and we in turn hopefully did not disappoint you in how we applied the aid that you gave us,” he said.

The Chief Justice said although the Danish Embassy aid was coming to an end, much ground had been covered in the construction of courts countrywide.

JSC, in partnership with DANIDA, is constructing 22 magistrate courts countrywide and more than 12 have been completed. Other courts are nearing completion while others await official opening.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who attended the function, hailed JSC for the noble project.

“I would want to commend our partners in coming up with the structure and justice will now be delivered in a conducive environment and with the dignity of court officials,” he said.