Chief Justice Luke Malaba has issued guidelines with regards to hearing urgent chamber and bail applications during the national lockdown. Below is the statement.
OPERATIONAL DIRECTIONS ON HEARING URGENT CHAMBER AND BAIL
APPLICATIONS DURING THE LEVEL IV COVID-19 LOCKDOWN PERIODPart I: Application
1) This practice direction applies to the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the High Court. the Labour Court, and the Administrative Court in Zimbabwe.
Part II: General Note
2) In accordance with paragraph 7 of Practice Direction 1 of 2021. courts are currently offering limited services namely initial remands: urgent processes and applications: and bail applications.
3) This practice direction is designed to give guidance on the hearing of urgent chamber and bail applications for the duration of the Level IV Lockdown period.
Part III: Hearing of Urgent Chamber and bail applications
4) With effect from 22 January 2021 a Judge may consider and dispose of an urgent chamber or bail application on the papers without calling the parties to make oral representations or arguments.
Provided that in respect of bail applications, parties shall be at liberty to file Heads of Arguments with or immediately after filing their applications or opposing papers.
Effective date
5) This Practice Direction takes effect from 22 January 2021 and shall remain in effect until the expiry of the lockdown period, unless earlier extended or revoked.
