Gweru High Court Circuit Opens as Judiciary Implements 2026 High Court Calendar

By Dumisani Ndlovu

Gweru - Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, on Monday January 19, formally commenced the Gweru High Court circuit, which is set to adjudicate at least 28 matters over a two-week sitting at the Gweru Magistrates’ Court.

The circuit, scheduled to run from 19 to 30 January 2026, marks the first High Court sitting for the year in the Midlands Province.

It is being convened in accordance with the 2026 High Court calendar published under General Notice 1409A of 2025, pursuant to section 47 of the High Court Act [Chapter 7:06].

While the Provincial Public Prosecutor, Mr Johannes Tlou, declined to comment on the proceedings, documents reviewed by this publication reveal apparent discrepancies between the cause list and the official court roll.

The cause list reflects 38 matters, whereas the court roll indicates that 28 cases are slated for hearing during the current sitting.

In a departure from previous years, no matters were gazetted for the Gokwe High Court circuit in 2026.

Judicial sources have attributed this development to a substantial reduction in the High Court backlog in the Midlands Province, which had previously escalated to approximately 500 cases during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The opening of the Gweru circuit falls within the High Court’s first term for 2026, which runs from 12 January to 27 March, as stipulated in the official calendar signed by Chief Justice Luke Malaba in his capacity as Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission.

The calendar further provides for an Easter vacation from 28 March to 10 May, followed by the second term from 11 May to 31 July.

A mid-year vacation is scheduled from 1 August to 6 September, with the third term running from 7 September to 27 November.

The courts will thereafter adjourn for the Christmas vacation from 28 November 2026 to 10 January 2027.

In terms of the same calendar, Gweru is designated to host three High Court circuits in 2026, with the current sitting to be followed by additional circuits in May and September.

Hwange is similarly scheduled to host High Court sittings in March, June to July, and October.

The commencement of the Gweru High Court circuit shows continued progress by the Judiciary in stabilising court operations and maintaining momentum in the disposal of long-standing matters following prolonged disruptions occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.