Danisa Masuku recently in Tsholotsho
ZIMBABWE is moving towards a fully digitised court system, with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) conducting stakeholder engagement meetings in Tsholotsho District to raise awareness ahead of the nationwide operationalisation of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) on 1 January 2027.
The adoption of the IECMS is expected to improve efficiency in the administration of justice by streamlining court processes, reducing paperwork and making the filing and tracking of cases more accessible to the public.
JSC secretary Dr Walter Chikwana led the stakeholder engagement campaign at Tsholotsho magistrates; court last Wednesday, following the programme’s initial rollout in other provinces.
Representatives of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, Zimbabwe Republic Police, traditional leaders, churches, the business community and villagers from various communities attended the event.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Chikwana explained that the IECMS would digitise court operations, enabling courts across Zimbabwe to transition to a paperless system.
Under the new arrangement, litigants will be able to file court papers electronically without having to travel physically to court, using their mobile phones or computers from their homes, offices or businesses, provided they have internet access.
“The IECMS will improve access to justice. Litigants will not need to travel long distances to file their papers. They can file from anywhere where there is internet service using their mobile phones or computers,” said Dr Chikwana.
He said the system would also help reduce complaints about missing court records and documents, as information would be uploaded and stored electronically.
“We used to receive complaints about missing records and documents. This initiative will reduce such complaints because the documents and records will be uploaded onto the system,” he said.
Dr Chikwana said the initiative, which had received a positive response from communities, would ease the burden on litigants by allowing them to file cases, monitor proceedings and track progress online without repeatedly travelling to court.
“The new development will see community members filing their cases on the internet and following them online. They can also check the progress of the cases while sitting in the comfort of their homes or wherever they will be,” he said.
He said the initiative was also aimed at improving the efficiency and responsiveness of the justice delivery system by ensuring that cases were handled promptly and members of the public received timely feedback.
“We want members of the public to be happy and satisfied with our service. When they report a matter, it will be dealt with timeously and they will receive feedback on time,” said Dr Chikwana.
Chief Siphoso, who attended the engagement meeting, welcomed the initiative, saying it would extend the benefits of digital justice services to rural communities.
“We’re happy that the JSC has remembered us in the rural areas. This system will help our people. The programme is strategic in instances where the victim is not supposed to meet with the perpetrator as that would perpetuate trauma,” he said.
A villager from Jimajila Village, Ms Sithabile Ncube, also welcomed the development, saying it would reduce the time and costs associated with travelling to court.
“We used to travel for many kilometres to the court. Now we’re told we can file at home using a phone. This is good for us,” she said.
However, Dr Chikwana acknowledged that poor electricity supplies and limited internet connectivity in rural areas such as Tsholotsho could pose challenges to the effective implementation of the system.
He said the Commission had put measures in place to address some of these challenges, including installing solar power systems to support the initiative.
Following the Tsholotsho engagement, Dr Chikwana proceeded to Western Commonage Court in Bulawayo to launch the same awareness campaign.
Last Tuesday, the JSC delegation visited Nkayi and Bubi districts, with the team scheduled to engage stakeholders at Tredgold magistrates’ court today.
