By A Correspondent- The government has lifted the ban on marriages and announced the resumption of normal court operations.

The announcement was made by Chief Justice Luke Malaba on Tuesday, following the relaxation of the COVID-19 induced lockdown by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Monday.

In a statement, CJ Malaba said solemnisation of marriages should be conducted on the condition that only the parties to the marriage and their witnesses attend.

“The filing and processing of new cases, process, documents, pleadings, papers and court orders, including service and execution by the Sheriff and the Messenger of Court, shall be done in terms of the applicable Court Rules, legislation or court order,” he said.

“For the avoidance of doubt, accused persons originally remanded between 5 January 2021 and 1 March 2021, remain automatically remanded to the dates stated in Practice Direction 4 of 2021.

Solemnisation of marriages shall be conducted provided that only the parties to the marriage and their witnesses shall be allowed to attend.”
Entry into courtrooms shall only be limited to litigants, their lawyers, witnesses and identified members of the Press.

• Chronicle