Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau
THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has started rolling out the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) in Midlands Province as part of the national digitisation of Zimbabwe’s courts in line with the Second Republic’s e-governance agenda.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting at the Gweru Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, JSC secretary
Dr Walter Chikwana said the platform is designed to modernise the administration of justice by reducing paperwork, speeding up case processing and improving access to court services.
“The JSC is rolling out the IECMS digital platform in Midlands Province as part of the national courts digitisation programme. This initiative is fully aligned with the Second Republic’s e-governance agenda and efforts to improve the ease of doing business,” he said.
Dr Chikwana, who was accompanied by acting JSC deputy secretary Dr Rosalie Katsande, urged members of the public and justice sector stakeholders to register on the platform ahead of its official launch in both the civil and criminal courts on October 1.
“Between July and September, we will conduct awareness campaigns and training to ensure that stakeholders understand and embrace the system before its official launch,” he said.
The IECMS enables litigants, lawyers and other court users to file documents electronically, monitor cases online and access court services without relying on paper-based processes.
Dr Chikwana said the digitisation programme began in 2022 when President Mnangagwa commissioned the country’’s first paperless court during the opening of the Commercial Division of the High Court. The initiative also introduced electronic courts at the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court.
Since then, the system has been expanded to the Labour Court and all divisions of the High Court nationwide.
“We have successfully rolled out IECMS in every High Court division. Whether you go to Bulawayo, Masvingo or Chinhoyi, the system is fully operational,” said Dr Chikwana.
The commission is now extending the platform to magistrates’ courts, which handle between 90 and 95 percent of all litigation in Zimbabwe.
“The Magistrates’ Courts are the busiest in the country and serve the majority of litigants, including many indigent members of the public. Bringing IECMS to these courts is therefore a major step in improving access to justice,” said Dr Chikwana.
He said six provinces have already been covered under the phased rollout, with Midlands and Mashonaland West becoming the latest beneficiaries.
To support implementation, the JSC has deployed a team of national trainers to provide training for court officials, legal practitioners, members of the uniformed forces, traditional leaders and the public.
“We are launching a publicity campaign so that everyone understands the benefits of IECMS. Registration is free and we encourage every Zimbabwean to register because anyone can require court services at some point in their life,” he said.
Dr Chikwana said the JSC has also established e-filing offices and internet hubs to assist users with registration and electronic filing. In the longer term, the commission plans to establish e-filing facilities at selected police stations and chiefs’ homesteads to improve access to justice, particularly for rural communities.
He said the digital platform would eliminate the long-standing problem of missing court files and records by securely storing all documents electronically.
“The problem of missing court records has long bedevilled the justice system, but that is now becoming a thing of the past. Documents will be securely stored on a digital platform, enhancing transparency, accountability and public confidence in the administration of justice,” he said.
