Digitisation of Magistrates’ Courts begins

Tanyaradzwa Rusike

THE Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) will be rolled out in Magistrates’ Courts in Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North provinces starting Tuesday, as part of efforts to improve efficiency and modernise the justice delivery system.

The IECMS is a web-based platform that digitises the entire lifecycle of a court case, from filing to resolution, eliminating the need for physical documents.

It allows litigants and lawyers to file documents online, track case progress in real time, make electronic payments for court services and even participate in virtual hearings through video conferencing.

The system is designed to enhance efficiency, accessibility, transparency and accountability in the justice delivery process.

In an interview, Judicial Service Commission (JSC) spokesperson Mr Daniel Nemukuyu said the system had already been successfully implemented across all superior courts and was now being expanded to the lower courts, starting with the two provinces.

“The IECMS has been implemented at all superior courts and the Judicial Service Commission is working towards implementing the system at the lower courts,” he said.

“The implementation will be done province by province, starting with Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North on July 1, 2025.”

Mr Nemukuyu said preparations for the launch of the system in the first two provinces were at an advanced stage.

“Awareness on the introduction of the system is being carried out to inform the citizens of Zimbabwe on the introduction of the IECMS at the Magistrates’ Courts and what they need to be able to file their cases once the system is launched,” he said.

Rollout of the IECMS will align Zimbabwe’s judicial infrastructure with global trends by replacing manual, paper-based court processes with a streamlined, technology-driven alternative.

It forms part of broader reforms to modernise justice administration, reduce delays and make legal processes user-friendly and cost-effective.

Mr Nemukuyu said upgrading of internet and network infrastructure at the courts and equipping them with essential hardware, such as laptops and desktop computers, had been completed ahead of the launch.

“The JSC has procured all the high-tech equipment required to implement IECMS in the two provinces,” he said. “Laptops and desktops have been distributed to the magistrates and court staff in preparation for the launch.

“Internet connections have been installed at the stations, while training of court staff and external stakeholders like prosecutors, police officers on how to use the IECMS has been done.”

The platform allows lawyers and litigants to submit documents electronically, serve them to other parties and track case progress in real time.

“The system allows the litigants to file their cases and documents to the courts in the comfort of their homes or offices, as long as they have internet, the correct gadget and an account in the IECMS,” said Mr Nemukuyu.

“It allows the litigants to file their cases at any time of the day, 24/7, and from anywhere, therefore, increasing the accessibility of the courts.

“Litigants can make online payments through Paynow using EcoCash, TeleCash, OneMoney and ZimSwitch.

“They can check for the progress of their cases online without visiting the courts, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice delivery system.”

Mr Nemukuyu said the IECMS addresses long-standing issues in the justice system, such as the loss or misplacement of case files, delays in case updates and limited access to court records.