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Senior Reporter
THE Judicial Service Commission plans to build 30 magistrates’ court buildings countrywide in the next two years and has already sourced funding for the project.
The development is expected to improve the justice delivery system.
Yesterday JSC placed an advertisement in the press inviting tenders for the construction of the first 15 courts, which constitutes the first phase of the project.
The construction project came at a time when some court officials in areas like Esigodini were operating in rented shops and substandard structures.
Chief magistrate Mr Mishrod Guvamombe said funding had already been sourced with the assistance of JSC’s co-operating partners and by end of 2015, the structures should be complete.

“We have secured land for court buildings from relevant local authorities and with the assistance of our co-operating partners we will complete construction within two years.

“Funding is already there and we will start by building 15 courts and tenders have since been invited in respect of that work.
“Second tendering for phase two of the project will be done any time soon,” said Chief magistrate Guvamombe.

Mr Guvamombe said the work will be done in all provinces and the first 15 courts will be built in the following areas: Murambinda, Nyanga, Goromonzi, Victoria Falls, Binga,Nkayi, Beitbridge,Chivi, Bikita, Zvishavane, Kwekwe, Kadoma, Mwenezi, Kariba and Centenary.

“We are operating under difficult conditions where there is no court accommodation in most area. For example, in Esigodini we are operating from a rented shop that we share with other tenants. The intervention is timely and it will go a long way in improving access to justice for all. If the new buildings are in place, we will be operating in a decent environment in a bid to take justice to the people,” he said.

Mr Guvamombe said JSC had already been allocated land for 25 courts but was still in the process of securing land for construction of courts in Mberengwa, Lupane, Kezi, Mvuma and Bindura.

Apart from the 30 courts that will be built under the project in question JSC and its partners are finalising construction at Chiredzi and Mutasa.
JSC recently completed construction at Murehwa, Mutoko, Norton and Guruve courts.