Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau
THE Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) has successfully rolled out the fourth phase of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) across the country, with 16 courts from Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces among latest beneficiaries.
The development is part of efforts to digitise the court’s system to help fight corruption and ensure a transparent and efficient justice system.
Speaking on Thursday during a visit to Gwanda Magistrate’s Court, Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) Secretary Mr Walter Chikwanha said he was conducting a tour across court stations to appreciate progress that has been made.
“We launched the fourth phase of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System in two provinces, which are Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces on 1 October. I have been moving from station to station just to familiarise myself with the progress that has been made.
“I’m also checking how team members are coping and to appreciate the challenges that are being faced so that we can take the necessary interventions. I have visited Masvingo, Chivi, Mwenezi, Beitbridge and now I’m in Gwanda. From here I will go to Esigodini as I continue with a tour of the court stations,” he said.
Mr Chikwanha said one of the crucial issues in rolling out this programme has been assisting members of the public in accessing the system. He said the system requires ICT gadgets like computers and smartphones as well as data, which some people do not have.
Mr Chikwanha said well-equipped e-filing offices have been established at every court station, which are being manned by qualified ICT personnel for the public and other stakeholders to use.
He said big stations like provincial headquarters have internet hubs, which are a bigger version of e-filing offices.
Mr Chikwanha said members of the public have expressed enthusiasm for the IECMS programme.
“My general appreciation is that we have successfully launched the IECMS. The critical issues that we look at to measure our success are the internet and I have noted that our connection has been stable at our stations, except Masvingo, but we are working on that.
“We have managed to put in place alternative power generation at all our stations as we have equipped them with generators. We are starting a programme of installing solar systems at all our court stations so that we have a more reliable power supply for undisrupted service,” he said.
Mr Chikwanha said the co-operation from various partners and stakeholders in the rollout of this programme has been overwhelming. These include the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), legal practitioners and court staff.
Ahead of the launch, the courts have carried out awareness campaigns on the IECMS programme.
So far, magistrates’ courts in Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North went live on the digital platform at the beginning of July this year. The country’s supreme courts have also been digitised.
The Government’s move to digitise the court’s system will help to fight corruption and ensure a transparent and efficient justice system as the country work towards a corruption-free country.
“It is part of efforts to ensure courts transition to a fully paperless environment, with electronic case filing and tracking now available to the public.
