Tinaani Nyabereka
GWERU-Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Martin Makonese has warned that perpetrators of violence in the upcoming 2023 harmonized elections will face the wrath of the law and be prosecuted.
Justice Makonese made the remarks during the official opening of the 2023 legal year in Gweru recently.
Justice Makonese added that about 17 murder cases were to be cleared in the next two weeks at the Gweru High Court Circuit.
“So far Bulawayo has cleared 6 913 civil and criminal cases out of 7 089 cases registered, while 176 are still pending from the same period. 17 murder cases have been sat down for Gweru Circuit and are expected to be completed in two weeks.
“As the country prepares for the 2023 harmonized elections, it is expected that the general peace that prevails in every part of this country will be maintained.
“To that extent, any person who shall disturb the general peace that is prevailing must be warned that the courts are ready to deal decisively with those minded to cause violence, chaos or any other such conduct designed to disturb peace in the country.
“On its part, the judiciary is ready to perform its constitutional mandate as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a constitutional democracy and as such elections must be conducted in a free and fair atmosphere. Those members of the public who shall violate the laws of the country will only have themselves to blame.
“It is important to underscore the fact that peace and security are at the core of any functional democracy. Any political contestation among political parties must be done within the confines of the laws of Zimbabwe. Political violence has no place in a democratic state,” he warned.
Justice Makonese however commended the general disposal rate of criminal cases at the Gweru High Court Circuit.
Last year Zimbabwe Republic Police Officer Commanding Midlands Province Assistant Commissioner Winston Muza urged Gweru community to desist from acts of political violence saying police were going to deal with perpetrators decisively.
