The Citizens in Action Southern Africa in partnership with six organizations and operating under the Alliance for Community-Based Organizations (ACBOs) is currently implementing a project titled Strengthening Community Participation in the Justice Delivery System in Zimbabwe. The project raises awareness, tracks progress on the 2023 elections-related cases of politically motivated violence, reported and before the high court of Zimbabwe, as well as promotes community dialogue on public interest cases on elections and politically motivated violence. Strengthening judicial independence is a long-term endeavor, and the need to sustain this support is acute. In doing so, CIASA and the consortium are embracing a comprehensive approach to the rule of law and judicial independence, emphasizing the protection of victims of political violence and prevention of the same and foster the recovery of community confidence in the justice delivery systems of Zimbabwe
CIASA will on the 22nd of November 2023 host the initial Citizen Jury meeting under the Partnership for Justice Project. The implementation of the project in Masvingo will serve as a powerful tool for peace building, and is a critically important step in building local capacities in and around the 7 admistrative districts of Masvingo Province to tackle impunity, and respond to justice and security concerns prevalent in most of the local communities. The Citizens Jury has a singular objective to prevent violent conflict, particularly in fragile and transitional environments like Zimbabwe and political hotspots like Masvingo, and will seek to enhance the physical and legal protection of people and communities, ensuring legal representation, access to justice, and empowerment of communities and local civil society.
Civil Society, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Judicial Service Commission, Lawyers, Victims of politically motivated violence, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders will participate in these Citizen Juries meeting.