Chief Justice Luke Malaba has called upon responsible authorities in Bulawayo to deal with illegal money changers operating in areas around Tredgold Building that houses several courts.
Bulawayo’s Tredgold Magistrate court is undergoing renovations and this has seen the revamping of the building which houses several courts to meet world-class standards.
However, a disturbing sight of illegal money changers conducting their business almost at the doorstep of the building has not gone down well with Chief Justice Luke Malaba, who toured Bulawayo courts this Friday in the company of Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi and the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, July Moyo.
“To some extent, l don’t know how much this has been done, they can never be a marriage between illegality and justice,” said the Chief Justice.
“They can never be a marriage between illegality and justice, so the activities of an illegal nature must never be part and parcel of justice system externally and internally. So we hope that in the surroundings of this building that are not wholesome must be stopped.
“I don’t think we should have a compromise in that issue. I find it difficult in that you can have people allowing illegal changes of money outside this building sometimes inside them and seen as no problem at all. It should never be.”
Tredgold Building houses Bulawayo Magistrate courts and other government departments.
Acting Chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi highlighted the challenges they are facing and promised to work towards achieving a one-stop justice centre at the building.
“The building here has become a breeding ground for corruption. Bogus lawyers take advantage of the overcrowding to transact and dupe our litigants without being noticed,” said the Acting Chief Magistrate.
“Too many interactions or associations are also creating a breeding ground for corruption. Our labour court is not properly housed. It is difficult to maintain the security standards expected at a court station due to numerous departments housed in the building.”
The purpose of the tour was to assess developmental projects being spearheaded by the Judiciary Service Commission.
