DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2018.v06i03.032

Pages: 712-719

The traditional legal system is viewed with suscipicion when it comes to the issue of conflict resolution and transformation. The contemporary world perceives it as backward, incompetent, uncivilized and barbaric. This qualitative research set out to critique the metaphysical role of traditional courts in solving conflicts in Nembudziya Area in Gokwe North District of Zimbabwe. The researcher employed the phenomenological research method to carry out the study. Nine participants were selected using snowball sampling. In-depth interviews were used to generate data. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse data. The researcher found that the role of traditional courts included playing people-centred courts, mediating, negotiating, truth-telling, reparation, compensation, restitution, hearings, adjudication, healing, reconciliation, restoration, and application of customary law. The researcher concluded that without hearing, the traditional legal system ceases to function well.