LM Edition 364

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Anti-Mugabe UZ Protesters Win

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The University of Zimbabwe students who protested during their graduation ceremony, in September 2016, have won their case against the institution’s authorities.

Our “Dream Team” comprising of ZLHR lawyers Denford Halimani, Jeremiah Bamu and Dorcas Chitiyo, who on Thursday 27 October 2016 successfully represented some University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students and ex-students, when they were hauled by UZ authorities to appear before a disciplinary hearing for breaching the state-run university rules after they allegedly staged a protest against President Robert Mugabe during the institution’s graduation ceremony held in September.

Out of five students and ex-students namely Tonderai Dombo, Thembinkosi Rushwaya, Alexander Mukamba, Tinotenda Mhungu and Hlalanilathi Khosa, who appeared before the UZ’s student disciplinary committee facing charges of breaching rules of student conduct and discipline commonly referred to as Ordinance 30, only Dombo was found guilty and given a final warning and slapped with a $50 fine.

Opening Of High Court in Masvingo Increases Prospects Of Access To Justice

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ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) welcomes the opening of a permanent High Court in Masvingo by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Monday 30 May 2016.

The decentralisation of the High Court is long overdue, and will go a long way in facilitating access to justice by many previously disadvantaged vulnerable people residing in Masvingo and other surrounding provinces.

Its proximate location, is particularly compelling as it will further alleviate challenges such as exorbitant travel, upkeep costs that were incurred by potential litigants, witnesses as well as other players interacting with the justice system at this level.

Most people had to travel for long distances to Harare and Bulawayo to access the services of the High Court.

From an administrative perspective, once fully operational, the Masvingo High Court will also help to reduce backlog of cases, minimise delays and hopefully expedite the determination of cases.

The new court will contribute to improving the efficiency of the justice system as a whole as there was substantial pressure on the limited permanent High Court facilities – located in Harare and Bulawayo due to the number of users who previously had no options.

ZLHR encourages stakeholders to offer necessary and relevant support for a functional and effective Masvingo High Court as this will boost public confidence in the justice delivery system. People living within the jurisdiction of this court are also urged to fully utilise its facilities for protection of their social, economic, cultural, civil and political rights provided in the 2013 Constitution. The JSC must continue to work with strategic partners to establish additional permanent High Courts in other provinces such as Manicaland and Midlands.

As a law based organisation that is committed to fostering a culture of human rights in Zimbabwe, ZLHR will continue through its various interventions to promote awareness of the existence of the High Court in Masvingo, and fully utilise this new court in order to advance the protection of human rights.

ENDS