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Senior Court Reporter
The 2014 Legal year starts on January 13 with the High Court expected to hear 55 murder and two fraud cases in the first quarter of the year. The first term will run from January 13 to April 4. The criminal court list shows that suspects held at police stations have been indicted for trial at the High Court beginning next week.

“Please note that the subpoenas must be served personally on all witnesses and not left with relatives or employer . . . Further, an appropriate declaration or personal service must be made on the reverse well in advance of trial dates and returns submitted not later than three weeks of trial date direct to the Prosecutor-General’s office,” read part of the list.

All 55 murder cases lined up for trial involve suspects accused of taking someone’s life over a trivial matter.
Over the past three years, cases of people killed over petty issues continued on the upward trend with police recording an average of seven or more such murders per week.

The roll is thin on high profile cases during the first term of the High Court, apart from the partly-heard fraud cases of Core Mining and Mineral Resources director Lovemore Kurotwi and former Zimbabwe Mining Development Company (ZMDC) chief executive Dominic Mubayiwa.

The trial resumes on January 13 and is set to end in one week.
The duo is accused of swindling Government of US$10 546 160,12 in actual prejudice, and US$33 059 406 in potential mining investment.

Other cases lined up include that of Clemence Maminimini, who is accused of murdering a woman at Flat Number 8 Del Marie Gardens, 643 Roystone Road in Avonlea, Harare.

It is alleged that Maminimini struck the victim with an iron bar before electrocuting her with shockers resulting in her death.
Square Sinoa of Mvurwi will stand trial on February 17 after he allegedly fatally stabbed his victim with a homemade knife. Six witnesses are expected to testify in the case which has been set for two days. Six other suspects indicted for trial during the first session of the High Court are-Kudzai Nyoni, Justice Magodo, Patson Zvikonyo, Frank Munkuli, Elastics Dafana and Cephas Nemaduve, all from Chitungwiza.

The charges against the six arose after they allegedly gunned down their victim following a dispute over a trivial matter. Two suspected fraudsters, Shingirayi Tapomwa and Mtunyelwa Moyo were also indicted for trial on charges of fraud involving US$2 million though misrepresentation to a complainant about the outcome of a court case.

The Constitutional Court, Labour and Administrative Courts also begin operations on Monday next week after the official opening of the 2014 Legal Year by the Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku in Harare.