6. THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COURTS RECOGNIZED AS TRADITIONAL ONES IN ZIMBABWE ARE DESCRIBED BELOW. 6(i) Family Court: This is usually the first port of call when families and communities deal with disputes. It is mainly used to deal with internal family disputes of a domestic nature such as divorcees, incest, disputes between parents and their children or cases involving in laws. However, this system has also been used in cases involving theft, assault and wrongs committed to other families in the community wherein cases can be resolved in between families amicably. Families in Zimbabwe have mostly used this process to deal with cases involving theft of livestock, destruction of granaries (food storage sites), crops and assault in the communities. Families have summoned each other for talks which in many cases have led to peaceful resolution of disputes. 6(ii) Headman’s Court: This court is usually presided over by the Headmen in the community. These are usually men who have inherited such positions of power by patrilineal linkages. In a number of instances where the family dispute system has failed to resolve the cases they are referred to the Headman’s court. Kraal heads preside over the cases which are usually valued to the tune of USD 100. 6(iii) Chief’s court: The highest traditional court is the chief’s court. The chief settles disputes with the help of advisors who are chosen on the basis of intelligence, knowledge of the customs and eloquence of speech. This court transcends the limitations of both family and village courts to involve the larger community. Community elders along with the traditional chief are the judges in judicial proceedings. Chiefs’ courts are empowered to hear a variety of 8