1420: Our live updates have come to end. Thank you.
1418: Acting President Chiwenga finishes his address and proceeds to cut the ribbon to officially open the 4thpermanent high court of Zimbabwe, the Mutare High Court.
1417: The court is being opened when the country is preparing to hold harmonised elections and reiterated that the govt is ready to ensure a free, fair and credible election. He denounced any form of political violence.
1416: Says the new dispensation believes in timeous justice delivery
1414: He acknowledged the unity of purpose between the JSC, Local govt, Justice ministry, Min of State and other private players who collaborated in renovating the former cinema house which IS now the Mutare High Court, saying this demonstrates what can be achieved when a people come together
1411: AP says legitimacy of the courts is derived from the people. The courts should not be seen as place of just punishing people but a means of delivering justice.
1410: “We must fight corruption at all costs…there are sacred cows in this issue…” govt has set up specialised anti-corruption courts to fight this scourge
1408: AP said a high court must in future be constructed in Lupane the Mat North provincial capital
1404: AP says the court is one of the best in the region, …the architectural designs and engineering were also sourced locally, embracing the Buy Zimbabwe initiative and showing that the country has high expertise.
1357: Acting President Chiwenga on the podium now delivering his keynote address
1346: Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi on the podium now to introduce Acting President Chiwenga to deliver his keynote address.
1340: This is part of decentralisation of the justice delivery system. He urges judicial officers and litigants to keep this court busy. CJ Malaba says as the judiciary they have embraced the Zimbabwe is open for business policy through ensuring that cases brought before the courts are dealt with without delay.
1337: “Its appearance makes it the best court-house in the country,” says CJ Malaba. He thanks the Ministry of Local Govt for magnificent construction work. He implored the people of Manicaland to make use of the court house as Harare is congested with many cases.
1335: Chief Malaba says the high court has 4 court rooms. ZPCS was consulted during construction to ensure all security concerns are taken into consideration.
1326: Chief Justice Malaba delivers his remarks, reveals that the Mutare High Court is the 2nd permanent high court circuit to be opened after independence after the Masvingo High Court was opened in 2016. Says the Bulawayo one was opened during the colonial era.
1312: A video is played showing the previous structure and view of the court building before it was renovated to become what it is today. The video also takes the viewer through the renovation works done by the Public works department in the Ministry of Local Govt. An old cinema building has been transformed into the impressive Mutare High Court!
1310: Minister Moyo officially hands over the keys of the court building to Chief Justice Luke Malaba.
1302: Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Cde July Moyo is now on the podium speaks on how the court buildings were renovated.
1251: Minister of State for Manicaland Cde Monica Mutsvangwa takes to the podium to welcome delegates to the province.
1250: The building which now houses the Mutare High Court was renovated by the Ministry of Local Government.
1246: Minister of Religion gives an opening prayer
1244: Official programme has commenced.
1231: Legal experts interviewed by ZBC say the opening of the Mutare High Court will improve access to justice in Manicaland and the country at large.
1228: We expect remarks from the Minister of State for Manicaland Cde Monica Mutsvangwa, Local Govt Minister Cde July Moyo, and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi who will eventually ask the guest of honour to give his keynote address.
1225: Mutare High Court will become the 4th high court after 3 others in Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo.
1220: The official opening of the Mutare High Court is underway in Mutare. Acting President Constantino Chiwenga is the Guest of Honour at the event.
Source ZBC news.