Mwayera said most courts were operating from rented space, with the Beitbridge Magistrate's Court occupying a hall that the district administrator also used for other functions.

"Most of our district courts are manned by one magistrate. The same magistrate who presides over criminal matters, also deals with appeals and reviews from local courts.

"He or she does police and prison visits as well as performing other administrative duties."

To this end, Mwayera said, it was practically impossible to create specialised family law courts.

"While we have a few of our own courtrooms with spacious offices situated mostly in provincial centres and a few district courts, most of our courtrooms and offices are situated within rented buildings from the district administrators' offices."

Women's Affairs Minister Olivia Muchena said family courts would improve social structures.

"Women with maintenance, custody, marital, property and other problems complain that no one listens to their stories.