It is recommended as follows:
The justice system must have specific systems and procedures to follow in dealing with children
arrested in time of conflict and mass arrests. The juvenile justice system must remain intact even in
times of crisis.
Ÿ Childhood and youthfulness of the accused must not be diminished on account of a context of
conflict. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Zimbabwe
Republic Police (ZRP) and every role player in the justice delivery system must be activated to
protect the best interests of children.
Ÿ The police and courts must observe legal restrictions regarding pre-trial detention of children.
Ÿ There is need to have specialist courts dealing with children’s cases in the criminal courts. These
courts will have specialist magistrates and prosecutors, who understand child justice processes and
systems. A similar model of Children's Courts in the civil court system or the Victim Friendly Court
System could be adopted.
Ÿ Magistrates should be adequately capacitated to deal with children who come before them, so that
there are no inconsistencies in the way children are treated, tried and sentenced for the same charge
and substantially similar circumstances.
Ÿ A comprehensive, one-stop piece of legislation with a child justice framework must be developed as
a concrete reference point for juvenile justice. There is therefore need for the Child Justice Bill to be
enacted into law.
Ÿ The government should ensure that the Legal Aid Directorate provides legal assistance to children
who are caught up as offenders in times of conflict. Provisions of legal aid services should not be left
entirely to civil society legal aid organisations.
Ÿ Until the underlying political and economic issues are resolved, the recurrence of unrests in
Zimbabwe remains real. As much as possible, government and citizens should work towards
preventing conflict, violent protests and criminal activity that would result in children being caught
up in the mayhem.
Ÿ
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‘Hear them Cry ’ – An Analysis of State Violence Against Children During the January 2019 Protests