THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE

NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF PROTECTION

• SUPREME COURT OF ZIMBABWE
• HIGH COURT OF ZIMBABWE
• MAGISTRATES COURTS OF ZIMBABWE
• ADMNISTRATIVE COURT OF ZIMBABWE
• ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
• PRISONS SERVICE IN ZIMBABWE
• LABOUR COURTS OF ZIMBABWE (under construction)
• OMBUDSMAN OF ZIMBABWE (under construction)

SUPREME AND OTHER COURTS OF ZIMBABWE

Mission Statement

To deliver justice as expeditiously as possible to all people falling within the Court's jurisdiction without fear, favour or discrimination.

The Supreme Court undertakes to:-

• Answer telephones within three rings.
• Attend to members of the public within a minute.
• Respond to letters within two working days.
• Set down urgent matters as they come in.
• Set down criminal appeals as soon as the record comes in.
• Set down civil matters within four months.
• Tax bills of costs within 10 working days.

HIGH COURT

Has three reception areas namely the Civil Registry, Criminal Registry and Sheriff's Office and they all share one switchboard in the Master's Office.

The Civil Office Section undertakes to:-

• Issue documents within a minute of presentation.
• Attend public queries within three minutes.
• File documents within five working days..
• Photocopy documents within three working days.
• Retrieve files from strongrooms and archives within three working days.
• Set down - urgent applications within a day;
• opposed applications within 10 working days;
• pretrial conferences within five working days;

The Criminal Office Section undertakes to:-

• Set down bail applications within 48 hours.
• Set down appeals within five working clays.
• Set down sentences within five working days.
• Pay witnesses on last day of trial.
• Attend to members of the public within one minute.
• Respond to letters within two working days.
• Process pro-deo payment vouchers within five working days.
• Process assessors payment vouchers within five working days.

The Sheriff's Office undertakes to :-

• Attend to the public within two minutes.
• Set clown sales within one month.
• Confirm sales within 10 days of sale.
• Conclude distribution within six months.
• Attend to correspondence within 10 working days.

The Bulawayo High Court undertakes to :-

• Attend to the public within two minute's.
• Retrieve files from filing rooms within two hours.
• Respond to letters within five working days.
• Set down civil trials within one month.
• Set down urgent applications within one day.
• Set down opposed applications within five working clays.

MASTER OF THE HIGH COURT DIVISION

The Division undertakes to administer the following Acts:

(a) Administration of Estates Act [Chapter 6:01}

(b) Deceased Estates Succession Act [Chapter 6:02]

(c) Deceased Persons Family Maintenance Act {Chapter 6:03[

(d) Insolvency Act [Chapter 6:04}

(e) Tacit Hypothec Amendment Act [Chapter 6:05}

(f) Wills Act | Chapter 6:06}

(g) Estate Duty Act [ Chapter 23:03}

(h) Companies Act [Chapter 24:03}

The Division undertakes to:-

1. Answer the telephone within four rings.
2. Attend to the enquiring public within a maximum time of three minutes.
3. Attend to correspondence within a maximum period of five working days.
4. Issue Letters of Administration, Certificates of Authority, Certificates of Appointments within maximum period of five working days of receiving Master's requirements.
5. Audit accounts within seven working days of receipt but not more than 10 working days.
6. Process cheques for minors, widows and beneficiaries within eight hours of request but not more than 24 hours.

MAGISTRATES AND OTHER COURTS

 Provincial Magistrates' Courts Contact Details

Source of information: http://www.justice.gov.zw/physical%20contacts/provincial%20courts.htm

 Harare Harare Magistrate Court t P.O. Box CY .553 Causeway.

Manicaland Mutare Magistrate Court P.O. Box 93 Mutare    

Mashonaland Central Bindura Magistrate Court Court P.O. Box 41 Bindura.

Mashonaland East Marondera Magistrate P.O. Box 145 Marondera    

Mashonaland West Chinhoyi Magistrate Court P.O. Box 581 Chinhoyi.

Matabeleland North Bulawayo Magistrate Court P.O. Box 299Bulawayo  

Matabeleland South Gwanda Magistrate Court P.O. Box 124 Gwanda

Masvingo Masvingo Magistrate Court P.O. Box 102 Masvingo    

Midlands Gweru Magistrate Court   P.O. Box 68   Gweru

Mission Statement

To preside over cases and administer the Courts in accordance with the Laws of Zimbabwe.

The Magistrates' Court

Presides over Criminal and Civil cases. Civil cases include Maintenance and Deceased Estates.

The Magistrates Courts undertake to:-

• Answer telephone calls within three rings.
• Serve members of the public within three minutes of arrival.
• Respond to letters within five working days.
• Receive complaints at Resident and Provincial Magistrate's Stations and the Chief Magistrate's office and investigate within four weeks.

The Criminal Court undertakes to:-

• Preside from 0830 hrs to 1045 hrs; 1115 hrs to 1245 hrs and 1415 hrs to 1545 hrs in the Provincial Courts.
• Preside from 0900hrs to 1045hrs; 1115hrs to 1245hrs and I415 hrs to 1545 hrs in the Regional Courts;
• Refund Bail deposits as soon as a case is withdrawn before or alter plea,or the trial is completed;
• Release exhibits on completion of the trial;
• Pay witness expenses soon after the witness has finished giving his or her evidence;
• Deliver Judgements within three months.

The Civil Courts undertake to:

• Deliver Judgments within three months of the 1 completion ol the trial;
• Refund payments into court or pay it into the Guardian's hind within one month of the money spending 12 months in the Court's bank account;
• Pay out Judgment debts within a week if paid in < ash or within a month if paid into Court by cheque;
• Surrender Judgment debts into the Revenue Account if its not claimed within six months;
• Pay out to Recipients money surrendered to the Clerk of Court by the Messenger of Court within a month of it being received or as soon as the recipient is found;
• Pay into the Guardians Fund money surrendered by Messengers ol Court if it is not claimed within three months;
• Solemnize marriages within a month of the parties making a booking with the Clerk of Court;
• Finalise Small Claims Court proceedings within a month from the date the trial started.
• 5.3.1 The Maintenance Court undertakes to:
• Set down applications to a date within lour weeks ol an application being made;
• Preside over the application and deliver judgement within three months;
• Enforce orders from the date the first pay becomes due;
• Initiate prosecution of defaulters within two weeks ol the due elate for payments;
• Process maintenance money paid through the Court's bank account within a week if paid in cash or within lour weeks if paid by cheque;
• Process payments which have to go through the Computer Maintenance Payments Office (because hanks do not accept manual schedules) within two months of the payment being received by the Court;
• Arrange for payments to be made direct into the applicant/ Recipients account on specified dales;
• Initiate prosecution of delaulteis within two weeks of receiving a report from an applicant that no deposit was made into his or her account.

Customary Law Deceased Estates

Courts which process these Estates undertake to:-

• Give hearing dates within 30 days of the registration of the Estate;
• Process the Estate on the hearing date and:-
• If there is no dispute on the Heirship issue the Certificate of Heirship on the same day;
• Within two weeks refer the dispute to a Provincial Magistrate or Senior Magistrate with the Province where deceased was resident if Heirship is disputed;
• The parties will be called to appear before the Provincial Magistrate or Senior Magistrate within four weeks of the dispute being referred to the Provincial Magistrate or Senior Magistrate;
• Hear the dispute and deliver judgement within a further four weeks;
• Send the file to the Provincial Magistrate for issuing of Letters of Authority within a week of the issuing of the Certificate of Heirship;
• Issue Letters of Authority within a week of the heir or executor satisfying the last legal requirement.
• Entertain applications for urgent hearings for estates where extreme financial hardships are being faced by beneficiaries.

Any queries or complaints relating to delivery of above services should be directed to the respective Provincial Magistrates in charge of the Province.

ADMINISTRATIVE COURT

Undertakes to:-

• Answer the telephone within three rings.
• Attend to the public within a minute.
• Respond to letters within five working days.
• Set down water applications within 10 working days.
• Set down appeals from various hoards within 10 working
  day

Source of information: http://www.justice.gov.zw/departments/SUPREME%20COURT%20AND%20MASTERREGISTRAR/supreme.htm

ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S OFFICE

The Attorney-General of Zimbabwe.

P. Bag 7714, Causeway

Telephone: 774586/7

Mission Statement

To ensure the provision of sound legal services to the State, in an efficient and professional manner, and to secure the proper and effective functioning of the criminal justice system.

Structure And Composition

The Office of the Attorney-General is a Constitutional Office set up under section 76 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The Office which is headed by the Attorney-General who is assisted by a Deputy Attorney General is wholly serviced by the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. The Office has four divisions namely:— Legal Advice; Legal Drafting; Civil Division and Criminal Division (Public Prosecutions).

DIVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE

The Division undertakes to:—

* Acknowledge receipt of all correspondence within four days of receipt, except in cases where no acknowledgment is called for;

* Provide sound and practical legal advice within a period not exceeding four weeks, unless the nature of the subject in question dictates otherwise;

* Ensure that legal documents are properly drafted and finalised within a period not exceeding four weeks, unless the complexity of the document or its negotiation necessitates otherwise;

* Ensure that court cases and inquiries are smoothly and expeditiously concluded, having regard to the nature of the proceedings in question and the interests of all the parties involved;

* Meet deadlines where applicable;

* React quickly and effectively whenever the services of the Division are required.

Procedure for Lodging Queries or Complaints

Any queries or complaints relating to the execution of the Division's duties should be made in writing to the Director of Legal Advice. The Director undertakes to respond within two weeks of receipt of a query or complaint. If the query or complaint cannot be adequately dealt with by the Director, then it should be referred to the Attorney-General.

DIVISION OF LEGAL DRAFTING

The Division undertakes to:—

* Draft or examine legislation in the shortest time possible consonant with the complexity of the legislation and the nature of the instructions from the client Ministry;

* Ensure that all bills, statutory instruments and notices drafted by the Division are clear, are constitutional and, in the case of statutory instruments and notices, are validly made in terms of the enabling enactment;

* Ensure that all statutory instruments and notices examined by the Division for publication in the Gazette are constitutional and validly made in terms of their enabling enactment;

* Acknowledge receipt of all correspondence within four days after it is received by the Division, except in cases where clearly no acknowledgement is called for;

* Exercise all reasonable care to ensure that any advice given by the Division reflects the current state of the law;

* Treat all those who seek the Division's services with the courtesy and respect they deserve;

* Provide an efficient service in accordance with the highest professional standards.

Procedure for Lodging Queries or Complaints

Any queries or complaints relating to the execution of the Division's duties should be made in writing to the Director of Legal Drafting. The Director undertakes to respond within two weeks of receipt of a query or letter of complaint. If the query or complaint cannot be dealt with adequately by the Director, then it should be referred to the Attorney-General.

CIVIL DIVISION

The Division undertakes to:—

* Ensure that court cases are efficiently and expeditiously concluded;

* Respond to all correspondence within five working days;

* Give legal opinions on contracts and loan agreements within two weeks;

* Recover money owing to Government expeditiously;

* Attend to transfer of properties on behalf of the Government within four weeks;

* Meet deadlines where relevant;

* Treat every person who seeks our services with respect and courtesy at all times.

Procedure for Lodging Queries or Complaints

Any queries or complaints relating to the execution of the Division's duties should be made in writing to the Director of Civil Division. The Director undertakes to respond within two weeks of receipt of a query or complaint. If the query or complaint cannot be adequately dealt with by the Director, then it should be referred to the Attorney-General.

Address: The Director of Civil Division P. Bag CY 880

Causeway Telephone: 774595/7

The Attorney-General P. Bag 714 Causeway Telephone: 774587/92

CRIMINAL DIVISION (PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS)

The Division undertakes to:—

* Institute and process criminal proceedings expeditiously.

* Act as legal representatives of the State in all criminal proceedings i.e. at bail, trial and appeal stages.

* Advise and give opinions to members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police in relation to criminal matters.

* Assist the High Court in review matters.

* Advise all Government departments on matters of Criminal Law.

Pre-Trial and Trial Stages

* Place accused persons on remand in or out of custody on bail when the trial is not ready.

* Advise the accused person to apply to the High Court when bail for remand out of custody is denied.

* Attend to all bail applications within 48 hours of receipt of the application.

* Ensure that an accused on remand for minor offences is tried within eight months.

* Ensure that an accused on remand for more complex offences is tried within 18 months.

Procedure for Lodging Queries or Complaints

Queries or complaints relating to criminal matters should be referred to the Area Prosecutor or Prosecutor-in-Charge in the first instance.

Where there is no satisfaction in the above procedure, complaints should be referred to the Senior Public Prosecutor.

Senior Public Prosecutors are based in Harare, Gweru and Bulawayo.

If there is still no satisfaction from the Senior Public Prosecutor, complaints should be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Response to queries should be received within three weeks.

Final complaints can be raised with the Attorney-General or his Deputy at the same box number as below.

Address: The Director of Public Prosecutions P. Bag 7714 Causeway Harare Telephone: 774586/7

PRISONS SERVICE IN ZIMBABWE

More Links on Prison Services in Zimbabwe

• About Prison Services
• Functions of Prison Services
• Control Of Prisons
• Acts and Statutes used in the Management of Prisons
• Technical Services
• Visits to Inmates

The Prison Service is headed by the Commissioner of Prisons who is based at Prisons National Headquarters in Harare. [S/he] provides superintendence, direction and control of the organization and further provides the department with an upward link with the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. All issues of policy and direction of the Zimbabwe Prison Service emanate from the Prisons National Headquarters and are passed on to the 42 prisons through four Regional Headquarters namely Mashonaland, Matabeleland, Midlands/Masvingo and Manicaland.

Mission Statement

In line with the provisions of section 99 of the constitution of Zimbabwe the mission of the ZPS is:

"To protect society from the criminal elements through the incarceration and rehabilitation of offenders for their successful re- integration into society while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control."

Core Values

In line with our mission statement and constitutional requirements, we place a lot of importance on the protection of society from criminal elements both in the short term and long term.

• Short-term protection.

Is achieved through the provision of secure incarceration of prisoners. For as long as the inmates remain in prison then society is safe.

• Long-term protection.

Is achieved if released offenders can live as law-abiding citizens. In this regard, if prisoners are exposed to rehabilitation programmes for their successful re-integration into society, much can be achieved In the ZPS we believe:

• That offenders need to be given a second chance through rehabilitation.
• In managing prisons with openness and integrity.
• In the efficient utilization of both material and human resources at our disposal.
• In community participation in the rehabilitation of offenders for their successful re-integration into society