Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu
The Gwanda Magistrate’s Court has launched a campaign to educate residents about the upcoming nationwide implementation of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS).
On Friday, court officials marched through the CBD and high-density areas, distributing flyers and engaging with the public to explain the benefits and workings of the IECMS.
The Gwanda provincial magistrate and regional courts are expected to go live on October 1 this year.
This development is part of plans set by the Judiciary Services Commission to digitise a total of 16 courts in Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces as it extends the coverage of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System IECMS countrywide.
So far, magistrates’ courts in Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North went live on the digital platform at the beginning of July this year.
The initiative is part of the fourth phase of IECMS implementation and, among other things, will ensure these courts transition to a fully paperless environment, with electronic case filing and tracking now available to the public.
The country’s supreme courts have now been digitised.
Speaking recently during an interactive meeting with court officials, lawyers, the police, ordinary citizens, border agencies, among other stakeholders at the Gwanda Magistrate’s Court, Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) Secretary Mr Walter Chikwanha said there will be intensive training of staff and preparation to ensure an effective roll out of the process.
He said all courts will be equipped to support the digitised system. Personnel has also been deployed to various courts to support this transition.
As part of embracing the system, court officials have been urged to take a lead in educating members of the public on IECMS.
Government’s move to digitse the court system will help to fight corruption and ensure a transparent and efficient justice system as the country works towards a corruption-free country.
@DubeMatutu
Colletta Dube