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Trust Freddy – Herald Correspondent
Chief Justice Luke Malaba has urged magistrates to adopt digital solutions and move away from traditional paper-based systems.
This push for modernisation is part of the preparations for the full digitisation programme scheduled to begin next year.
While addressing magistrates and Judicial Service Commission staff from Mashonaland East in Marondera, Chief Justice Malaba emphasised the importance of embracing digitisation and moving away from traditional, reactionary approaches.
“I was told that you are still clinging on to those papers, you know what your Chief Justice wants,” he said.
“We no longer want to see you using papers; we are going electronic and digital. You cannot continue writing long love letters.
“When sending documents for scrutiny to the regional Magistrate, let us opt for digital formats instead of voluminous paper files.”
Chief Justice Malaba also exhorted senior magistrates to emulate his example, having successfully integrated laptops into judicial business.
He encouraged those struggling with computer literacy to come forward for training, warning that failure to adapt might necessitate passing the baton to the younger, tech-savvy generation.
The meeting was part of Chief Justice Malaba’s ongoing provincial tours, where he is evaluating the performance of courts nationwide and identifying challenges they face.
The country’s modernisation of the judicial system through the digitisation of all magistrates’ courts operations across the country is on course, with the fourth phase of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) set to be implemented early next year.
Currently, the system is now being implemented in the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the High Court, the Labour Court, and the Administrative Court.
It is expected to be cascaded to magistrates’ courts beginning next year.
The JSC has over the past two years been rolling out a comprehensive digital transformation of the judicial system, with phases one to three of IECMS focusing on the country’s superior courts.
Online Reporter