Online Reporter
Kudakwashe Kutinyo
THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has intensified its public awareness campaign ahead of the rollout of Phase Four of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), scheduled to commence in July.
This upcoming phase of digital transformation will see magistrates’ courts — the busiest tier of the judiciary — fully digitised, beginning with pilot projects in Matabeleland North and Mashonaland Central provinces.
As magistrates’ courts handle over 90 percent of litigation in Zimbabwe, this marks a pivotal step in modernising the country’s justice delivery system.
To ensure the programme’s successful implementation, the JSC is conducting comprehensive training for judicial officers, upgrading internet infrastructure, and installing new hardware in selected courts.
Speaking during an outreach exercise in Hwange, JSC Secretary Mr Walter Chikwana described Phase Four as a major milestone in the Commission’s efforts to create a more efficient, transparent, and accessible justice system.
“Since 2022, the system has been introduced in the higher courts under Phase One. Now we are moving into Phase Four, which covers magistrates’ courts, handling over 90 percent of our litigation cases,” he said.
Mr Chikwana said that the rollout would be staggered across provinces to ensure smooth integration and minimise disruption to ongoing court operations.
The initiative aligns with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), both of which prioritise access to justice.
“The guiding principle is based on Vision 2030 and NDS1 to ensure access to justice for the general populace. We are decentralising to ensure that every district has a courthouse and every province has a High Court, so that justice is brought as close as possible to the people,” he said.
One of the key advantages of the IECMS is the elimination of inefficiencies associated with paper-based systems, such as missing case files.
The system will enable courts to maintain secure electronic records and allow litigants to track their cases in real time from any location with internet access.
“The days of missing documents in court files will soon be over, as electronic records will be maintained. IECMS will also enhance justice delivery, even from the comfort of your home,” Mr Chikwana said.
As part of its public education campaign, JSC teams are distributing flyers and engaging with community members.
In Hwange, the team led by Mr Chikwana distributed IECMS awareness materials, while another team conducted outreach activities in Binga.
The IECMS will include e-filing offices in every courthouse nationwide, enabling citizens to file and manage court documents electronically.
For individuals without internet access or digital skills, the JSC will establish information centres to provide assistance and ensure that no one is left behind.
The IECMS was introduced in 2022 as part of the Government’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at improving efficiency within the public sector. Phase One included the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, and High Court, introducing online filing, case tracking, and virtual hearings.
The system has since been expanded to commercial courts and other specialised divisions, with each phase building on the lessons of the last. — New Ziana
