Raymond Jaravaza [email protected]
THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has established a free internet hub at the Bulawayo High Court and is planning to roll out similar facilities at magistrates’ courts and police stations to improve public access to the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS).
The initiative is part of the JSC’s efforts to make the justice delivery system more accessible, efficient and transparent by enabling members of the public to file court papers electronically, track cases and participate in virtual court proceedings without having to physically attend court.
The IECMS is a web-based platform that automates and tracks the life cycle of a case, from initial filing to judgment, disposition and appeal.
The rollout of the internet hubs comes as the JSC implements the fourth and final phase of the system, which has been introduced across the country’s courts, including the Supreme Court, Labour Court,
Administrative Court and magistrates’ courts, as the commission moves towards a paperless justice system.
Speaking at the launch of Phase Four of the IECMS outside the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court last week, JSC secretary Dr Walter Chikwana said the Bulawayo High Court facility was the first of several planned internet hubs intended to ensure that no one is excluded from the digital justice system because of limited access to technology.
“The first internet hub that supports IECMS and is available free of charge to members of the public has been set up at the Bulawayo High Court.
“If you go there right now, you will find laptops, computers and free unlimited internet that have been set up for anyone that would like to access IECMS to check the status of their case, file court papers or give witness testimony without physically going to a courtroom,” he said.
Dr Chikwana said JSC information and communication technology experts had been deployed to the hubs to assist members of the public in using the system.
He said the facilities were particularly important for people without smartphones or computers, as well as those facing challenges accessing reliable electricity and internet connectivity.
“The reason why JSC has set up these internet hubs is so that members of the public that do not have smartphones, laptops, iPads, as well as stable electricity and the internet, are not left out of IECMS.
“Through the internet hubs, anyone can participate in virtual court proceedings, for free, file court papers and track the status of a court case,” he said.
“We have to put up facilities to make sure that the justice system does not frustrate litigants who may have challenges in accessing IECMS.”
Dr Chikwana said the commission intended to extend the facilities beyond the courts to police stations and traditional leaders’ courts, allowing people in rural and remote communities to access the system closer to where they live.
“We intend to open an e-filing office at every police station in the country as well as at every traditional chief’s court. Rural communities must also be able to access IECMS even in the most remote places in the country,” he said.
“For people in Bulawayo, instead of coming to their local magistrates’ court, they have the option of going to the nearest police station to access IECMS.”
The system incorporates electronic filing, case tracking and management, automated case allocation, e-filing support services and virtual hearings. It is designed for use by litigants, legal practitioners, law enforcement agencies, judicial officers and court administrators.
The electronic storage of court documents is also expected to help address longstanding concerns over missing or misplaced case files by allowing records to be stored securely and retrieved electronically.
To support the transition, the JSC has deployed national trainers to work with court officials, legal practitioners, members of the uniformed forces, traditional leaders and the public. The commission has also established e-filing offices and internet hubs to help court users register and file documents electronically.
Dr Chikwana said the digital system was expected to reduce opportunities for corruption and address complaints involving missing documents and alleged irregularities in court registries.
“For a long time, JSC has received complaints of files and court documents missing as well as signatures being forged.
“All of this was happening in our court registries. We would like to assure members of the public that anomalies, complaints and challenges will be a thing of the past with the introduction of IECMS in all our courts across the country,” he said.
“Never again will there be complaints of people being asked to pay a court official to check the status of a case or to file a case on their behalf. Never again will you hear of any corrupt tendencies happening within our courts because the IECMS will make it possible for members of the public to check the status of a case or file their papers at the click of a button.”
