Chairman’s message Mr D. Matete Chairman of the Board The year 2014 is a landmark year for the LRF. Thirty years ago the founding trustees’ vision of an organisation that would inform the people of recently independent Zimbabwe of new laws and provide access to justice for the marginalised was born with the registration of the Legal Resources Foundation Trust in July 1984. Over the intervening years the LRF has grown from a single office and a handful of staff to a national network of 25 physical offices and 97 staff, and, as some of the testimonies in this annual report will demonstrate, has remained true its mandate, working tirelessly for the promotion and facilitation of access to justice and the overall protection of people’s rights at different levels and structures of society. The year under review has unfolded against a changed background for Zimbabwe where, although the post July 31 2013 peacefully delivered a new Government, the continued decline in the economy has loomed large and is exacerbated by the seeming vacuum to tackle effectively the downward spiral in the economy as major political players appear to have focused on intra-party in-fights ahead of respective political party congresses. The first six months of the year were a time of optimism but the second six months have seen the escalating economic struggles, growing unemployment and despair amongst the ordinary populace. More business failures, judicial management orders and outright liquidations and company closures continue to be on the rise, resulting in job losses and threatening a greater number of the remaining formal household incomes. Despite the resultant waning economic welfare of the communities, the LRF’s proven track record for quality service delivery and an inclusive non-partisan thrust, together with maintaining a permanent physical presence within the communities, has enabled it to keep operating and maintain momentum in support to the ordinary and vulnerable members of the community. The focus continues to be primarily on strengthening community engagement, where LRF’s reputation for delivering reliable and relevant services, built over the past years, is embraced by the community. In many instances, and as a result, the LRF has been the preferred partner in development initiatives and often a referral organisation from other role players, both from within the justice delivery system of Government and peer organisations involved in similar work. One of the significant and growing areas has been the facilitation of access for Members of Parliament and elected councillors to dialogue with their constituents to resolve their plight. Both groups have been very happy to have such opportunities through the intermediate role of the LRF and have commended the organisation. This programme is illustrative of the desired thrust of the LRF, not only to enable access to justice but also to begin to build a culture of accountability, transparency and mandate fulfilment to the ordinary communities they serve. 5