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Mashonaland West Bureau
Construction of the new Chinhoyi magistrates’ court is ahead of schedule with indications that the building would be ready for occupation by December 31 this year.

The court building has the potential to house other upper courts, with Chief Justice Luke Malaba recently indicating that they would consider opening the High Court in Chinhoyi. Construction of the court building started in August 2004, but stalled due to liquidity challenges while work was discontinued in 2007.

In an interview, public works director for Mashonaland West Engineer Trymore Mtizwa said most major works on the super-structure, including the basement holding cells, offices, magistrates’ chambers and courts were complete.

“We resumed work in May last year, starting site clearance including removal of foliage that was threatening to overgrow the facility while we also drained rain water which had been accumulating in the basement for the seven years of inactivity,” he said.

Eng Mutizwa said working on a government-to-government agreement, the department engaged a reputable Chinese company, Hualong Construction, while they provided technical management for the project.

“We also carried out some partitioning of the various rooms in basement because the brickwork and plastering of the section had already been completed,” he said.

“On the ground floor, we did slab concreting, plastering and flooring, while scrids or rough floors have already been laid in most sections of the court. Door and window frames have also been fitted.”

Eng Mutizwa said similar work had also been completed at the first floor of the court building.