Source: Mutare Labour Court to open in January – herald
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
A PERMANENT Labour Court will be established in Mutare from January 1, next year in line with Government’s efforts to improve access to justice by the generality of the country’s citizens.
The decision to establish the Court was announced by the Acting Senior Judge of the Labour Court, Justice Godfrey Musariri, in General Notice 1373 of 2026 published in last week’s Government Gazette.
“It is hereby notified that the Acting Senior Judge of the Labour Court, in consultation with the Chief Justice (Elizabeth Gwaunza), has, in terms of section 91 of the Labour Act, directed the establishment of a permanent Labour Court seat at Mutare with effect from 1st January, 2027,” reads the General Notice.
Government, through the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), has pursued establishing registries and permanent hearing locations in various provinces to reduce travel burdens for litigants while improving access to justice as required by the Constitution.
Last week, the JSC said it will open six new courts in high-density areas across the country. The programme includes new courts in Mabvuku, Harare, and Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, while major developments are also underway in Gwanda, Kwekwe, Beitbridge and Guruve.
JSC secretary Dr Walter Chikwana said the projects were part of broader efforts to improve access to justice by decentralising court services and responding to growing demand in areas where existing courts were under pressure.
The biggest development is the multi-purpose Gwanda Court in Matabeleland South.
The facility, currently at roof level, will house the High Court, Labour Court, Sheriff’s Office and the Magistrates’ Court, making it one of the largest court complexes in the country.
COMMENTS