BY SILAS NKALA
LUPANE and Nkayi districts recorded the most murder cases in Matabeleland North last year with cases of violence also on the increase in those districts.
This was revealed by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo during the official opening of the 2020 Legal Year at the Hwange High Court circuit yesterday.
Moyo said Hwange High Court Circuit handled 39 cases referred for trial last year and 20 were finalised.
“These statistics show the sterling efforts by the Bulawayo High Court judges, who despite having been only four in 2019 out of a staff complement need of six, worked tirelessly to ensure that matters are heard and finalised. We hope that with the additional fifth judge, our performance as the Bulawayo High Court will even soar to higher levels. We continue, however, as a station to plead for more resources,” she said.
Moyo said in the past year Matabeleland North region, received 65 murder cases with Nkayi and Lupane topping the list with 26 and 22 respectively.
“Hwange had 13 cases and Victoria Falls had 4. These murder cases usually involved the use of okapi knives and other dangerous weapons. The citizens of the respective areas, especially Nkayi and Lupane, as they seem to be the most violent in the region are encouraged to desist from violence and to instead try peace initiatives like engaging elders, church pastors and village heads in resolving disputes,” Moyo said.
“We cannot afford to be a violent society. We need each other as brothers and sisters to coexist peacefully and be good neighbours as the Bible says. We cannot afford to have people who use violence as a way of life. Most of these murders occur at beer drinks where people should be merry-making and relaxing.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Moyo said the province needs to guard against disturbances and to avoid the scourge of machete gang violence.
She said there are 20 murder cases lined up for the Hwange High Court circuit this year and luckily for the province it appeared the machete vice was not rampant, as there was only one such case.
“Recently, the country has seen a surge in machete-wielding gangs, especially within the mining sector. So much chaos has been experienced with these violent gangs attacking other citizens or each other. Such forms of violence should be eradicated by all concerned and as far as the Judiciary is concerned such cases should be dealt with in such a manner that those found on the wrong side of the law, perpetrating violence on other peace-loving citizens, should be given sentences that will conscientise everyone that engaging in violence will result in severe punishment,” Moyo said.
She noted that deterrent sentences will be given “to ensure that our country maintains stability and rids the communities of all those violent gangs, whose place is certainly behind bars”, adding this would instil confidence in the criminal justice system.
