Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
THE country’s magistrates’ courts are set to go digital beginning July 1, as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) starts implementing its fourth phase of the Integrated Electronic Case Management (IECMS).
Chief Justice Luke Malaba officially launched the IECMS when officially opening the 2025 Legal Year in Harare in January.
The IECMS was launched in phases starting in May 2022 and has already been implemented at the superior courts, which include the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the High Court, the Administrative and the Labour Court.
JSC secretary Mr Walter Chikwana confirmed the latest developments.
“Phase 4 has already been launched. It was launched by the Chief Justice when he delivered his remarks during the opening of the 2025 Legal Year, and if you remember, the Chief Justice pronounced that we have now moved into the magistrates’ courts,” he said.
“What we are now doing is to deal with the implementation aspect of Phase 4 and like the Chief Justice indicated, we are going to do it in a phased format where we do it on a province-by-province basis.”
Mr Chikwana indicated that the implementation will start with the lower courts in Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North provinces.
“Those are the provinces that are going digital on July 1, 2025,” he said.
“Thereafter, we are going to move into Masvingo Province and Matabeleland South Province.
“So, on July 1, we expect Matabeleland North and Mashonaland Central to go live.”
Civil Magistrates’ Courts are set to fully go digital within the coming year, following amendments of the Magistrates’ Court (Civil) Rules to enable the roll-out of the IECMS platform.
The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs gazetted the regulations last month, as part of a broader push to modernise court operations, improve efficiency and reduce reliance on physical paperwork.
The amendment of the rules at the magistrates’ court was meant to align them with the new system.
Currently, cases can be filed both electronically and physically during the 12 month’s trial run.
Litigants or their representatives will be expected to create an IECMS account, through which they can file pleadings, access case records, serve documents electronically and participate in virtual hearings.
To support the transition, the Judicial Service Commission will establish e-filing centres at every magistrates’ court station, offering free access to internet-connected devices and technical assistance.
These centres will help litigants and legal practitioners to file documents, track cases, serve documents electronically and participate in virtual hearings.
