The Midlands High Court Circuit has successfully resolved 60 murder cases in a week, resulting in 12 acquittals and 24 convictions.

Nqobile Bhebhe

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THE Midlands High Court Circuit has cleared 60 murder cases in a week securing 24 convictions and 12 acquittals, a remarkable progress in addressing its backlog of cases.

This marks a significant improvement compared to the same period during the first circuit last year, when 50 cases were resolved.

In an update, the National Prosecuting Authority of  Zimbabwe said of the cases concluded in the week ending 24 January,  24 offenders were found guilty of murder and received sentences ranging from 18 years to life imprisonment.

Another 24 individuals had their charges reduced to culpable homicide, while 12 were acquitted due to insufficient evidence or insanity.

“One case was withdrawn due to the death of state witnesses,” NPA said.

The special circuit court was established in response to a backlog of over 500 cases, some dating as far back as 2019, which were identified by Prosecutor General Hon. Loyce Matanda-Moyo during her visit to the Midlands Province early last year.

Following the visit, the Chief Justice, Luke Malaba authorised the creation of special circuit courts to expedite the resolution of these cases.

The first phase, conducted in September 2024, was highly successful, resolving nearly 140 cases with an impressive clearance rate of 90 percent.

“This initiative seeks to expedite the resolution of these cases, with particular attention to the disproportionately high number of murder cases frequently involving artisanal miners and the use of lethal weapons, including knives and machetes,” NPA added.

Speaking at the official opening of the 2025 legal year in Bulawayo, Chief Justice Luke Malaba, expressed concern over the high number of unresolved murder cases in the Midlands.

He noted that the Bulawayo High Court had to sit on circuit in Gweru to clear 137 cases last year.

He said the high number of murder cases in the Midlands prompted the Judicial  Service  Commission (JSC) to set up an extraordinary circuit as the public was now losing confidence in the justice system.