Kwekwe is poised to host a High Court, as the Midlands and Masvingo provinces reported the highest numbers of third schedule offences last year, Chief Justice Luke Malaba revealed during the official opening of the 2026 legal year in Harare on Monday.
This year’s theme is Using performance management and technology to ensure quality, inclusive and sustainable judicial service.
Malaba noted that construction at the Kwekwe court complex, which will house four courtrooms and 18 offices, is progressing well.
“The superstructure and roofing were completed. Currently, the contractor is working on the finishings. The expectation is that the courthouse will be commissioned during the first half of the year,” he said.
The Chief Justice added that the new complex will enable the establishment of the sixth seat of the High Court at Kwekwe, a move aimed at easing the growing workload at Bulawayo High Court and addressing the rise in criminal cases in the Midlands.
“The commission, like other stakeholders, is certain that the setting up of a High Court seat in Kwekwe will not only solve the challenges in the Midlands but will also be the panacea to easing the ever-increasing workload at High Cour, where judges are currently dealing with a high number of cases,” he said.
Malaba emphasised that while some High Court seats are located in complexes designed for magistrates courts, this does not preclude the future construction of standalone high courts when resources allow.
He also commended the progress at new court complexes countrywide that included Mabvuku Tafara Gwampa Court, Cowdray Park and Beitbridge magistrates courts.
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Meanwhile, Malaba revealed that Masvingo received more than 147 000 cases while Midlands processed more than 12 000 cases.
