Prosecutor-General orders apolitical conduct, faster prosecutions in justice reform push

Zimbabwe’s Prosecutor-General Loice Matanda-Moyo has directed prosecutors to remain strictly apolitical and prioritise fairness and efficiency, warning that failure to do so undermines public trust in the justice system. Speaking at a Superior Courts Appeals procedures training in Harare on Monday, Matanda-Moyo said the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe must be guided by the Constitution and public interest rather than political considerations.

“We do not represent any partisan interest or political faction,” she said. “We represent the Constitution and the 16 million people of Zimbabwe.”

She warned that prosecutors who act otherwise risk eroding confidence in the justice system.

“When we fail… when we lose cases we should have won, when we delay justice through ignorance, we do not simply lose a file. We erode public trust. We make a mockery of the scales of justice,” she said.

Matanda-Moyo said the training programme is part of broader reforms aimed at improving the quality and speed of prosecutions, particularly in complex cases handled by superior courts.

She emphasised the need for preparedness and legal excellence.

“I want prosecutors ready to respond immediately, decisively and brilliantly,” she said, adding that delays caused by weak legal arguments or poor preparation will no longer be tolerated.

Legal analyst Musa Kika said the emphasis on efficiency is critical.

“Delays in prosecution not only affect victims but also weaken the credibility of the justice delivery system,” he noted.

The Prosecutor-General stressed that the role of prosecutors is not simply to secure convictions, but to ensure justice is served.

“We do not seek convictions; we seek just outcomes,” she said. “The prosecutor must always be right, and the prosecutor must be fair.”

She added that both wrongful convictions and wrongful acquittals represent serious failures.

“Sending an innocent person to jail is exactly the same moral failure as acquitting a guilty one,” she said.

Matanda-Moyo also moved to redefine the relationship between prosecutors and defence lawyers, dismissing the idea of adversarial rivalry. Instead, she said, both sides are officers of the court with a shared duty to uphold justice and the rule of law.

The remarks come as the NPAZ implements reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism, including intensified training programmes and digitalisation of systems. Judicial reform expert Alex Magaisa said such measures could improve case management.

“Digital systems and continuous training can significantly enhance efficiency and transparency within prosecuting authorities,” he said.

Matanda-Moyo said the reforms are ultimately aimed at restoring public confidence in Zimbabwe’s justice system. As pressure mounts for accountability and timely justice, her directive signals a renewed push to ensure prosecutors uphold constitutional principles while delivering fair and efficient outcomes.

Loice Matanda-Moyo statement