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The Judicial Service Commission ( JSC) has put on hold all cases including the exhumation and reburial of Mugabe appeal at Chinhoyi magistrate court which was supposed to take place today following an increase in Covid 19 cases in the area as other magistrates, prosecutors and other staff have tested positive.
In a statement on Wednesday, JSC Secretary Walter Chikwanha said the temporary closures would allow for disinfection procedures in the court buildings.
“We are currently in the process of consulting with the Ministry of Health and Child Care on the way forward.
“Litigants and lawyers who may want to file any papers at these courts are advised to get in touch with the Registrar, Resident Magistrate, Additional Sheriff or Assistant Master on duty,” he said.
“The public will be advised when the concerned courts will be re-opening,” he added.
Today, (Friday), the Chinhoyi Magistrates Court was set to hear an appeal by the children of the late former President Robert Mugabe against an order by Chief Zvimba that their father be exhumed from Zvimba and be reburied at the Heroes Acre in Harare.
Mugabe’s children Bona, Robert Junior and Bellarmine Chatunga argue that Chief Zvimba has no legal authority to order the exhumation and reburial of their father’s remains.
The JSC has closed seven courts across the country after some magistrates, prosecutors and ancillary staff contracted the coronavirus.
Chikwana said multiple virus cases had been reported at Chinhoyi Magistrates Court, Karoi Magistrates Court, Kariba Magistrates Court, Bindura Magistrates Court, Mt. Darwin Magistrates Court, Mutare Magistrates Court and the Mutare High Court, forcing the closure of the buildings. He added:
JSC closes top courts amid Covid 19 cases
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced the closure of the country’s top courts, the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court and the Labour Court in Harare after some members of staff have tested Covid-19 positive.
In a statement on Thursday, the JSC said the affected courts are expected to resume business on Monday.
“The Judicial Service Commission wishes to advise members of the public that the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court and the Labour Court (Harare) will be closed from today the 1st of July 2021 until Friday the 2nd of July 2021.
The JSC further added that further testings and contact tressing will be done among the staff.
“This has been necessitated by positive cases of Covid-19 that have been recorded at these courts. The closure is to allow for fumigation of the premises and testing of staff. The three courts are expected to re-open on July 5,” said JSC in a statement.
“Litigants and legal practitioners who may want to file any papers at these courts may get in touch with the Registrar whose numbers will be displayed at the court houses.”
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