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Judge bemoans increase in violence

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HIGH Court judge Justice Susan Mavangira has lamented the increase in different forms of violence in Zimbabwe.

HIGH Court judge Justice Susan Mavangira has lamented the increase in different forms of violence in Zimbabwe, adding that the culture was detrimental to development, hence mechanisms should be put in place to stop the social ill.

Report by Obey Manayiti

Officially opening the 2013 High Court Circuit in Mutare on Monday, Mavangira said Zimbabwe had continuously recorded an increase in domestic violence and murder cases with some involving children.

“I notice from the cause list for this circuit that all the murder cases set down involve the use of physical violence on the person of another. Various implements or tools, including hoe handles, knives, axes, logs, a stone, an iron rod and a spear, were used,” Mavangira said.

“Domestic violence, which has reached alarming levels in our society judging from the review files that are sent to the High Court from the Magistrate’s Courts countrywide, has also been criminalised in a specific piece of legislation that is meant to specifically address this social ill.

“A completely violence-free society will enhance positive development at all levels of society, including the individual or personal and national level.”

Mavangira said it was regrettable that children were being exposed to violence. She said death cases committed by young children should be a cause for concern to the whole country.

The first High Court circuit session for 2013 will sit for 10 working days where 12 cases are expected to be heard.

According to Mavangira, the time lines allocated to these sessions are not adequate and as such, the backlog continues to mount.

She urged the country to desist from violence during the constitutional referendum on March 16, and elections later this year. Mavangira’s call for a peace during this year’s polls came hot on the heels of recent incidences of violence in Manicaland Province, one of which claimed the life of a 12-year-old Headlands boy, Christpowers Maisiri.

Maisiri was burnt beyond recognition after a hut he was sleeping in with his three siblings was allegedly petrol bombed by suspected Zanu PF activists on Saturday.