SILOBELA — After abandoning the Silobela circuit court due to the economic meltdown in 2007, the Judicial Service Commission has now resumed court sittings in the area.
Kwekwe resident magistrate Taurai Manuwere on Tuesday travelled to Silobela Police Station where he presided over six cases ranging from theft to assault to mark the resumption of the circuit court.
According to a court official, Manuwere’s office will make the 75km-long journey from Kwekwe every Tuesday to hear cases from the Silobela Sergeants’ Mess which has been turned into a courtroom.
“The court will sit here every Tuesday to hear matters which are not of a serious nature where accused persons are not being kept in police custody. However, matters that are urgent and serious will continue to be brought to the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Courts,” the official said.
The resumption of the circuit court follows the procurement of a station vehicle for the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Courts in April.
“The station now has a reliable vehicle and fuel which will ensure we don’t miss court dates as had become the norm in 2007,” said the official.
Magistrate Manuwere sat behind the bar counter which was decorated with beer advertisement posters from where he delivered judgments.
Prior to the resumption of the circuit court, all matters from Silobela were being referred to Kwekwe Magistrates’ Courts with police struggling to bring accused persons to court on time due to transport challenges.
