By Sharon Tawuya
Chitungwiza, (New Ziana) – The digitalisation of the country’s judiciary, through the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), is nearing full coverage, with Harare and Bulawayo metropolitan provinces set to come on board by year-end, Judicial Service Commission (JSC) secretary, Walter Chikwanha has said.
The IECMS is an online platform introduced to allow litigants to file cases, pay court fees, track case progress and attend virtual hearings electronically, thereby reducing paperwork, curbing corruption and speeding up justice delivery.
Speaking at the launch of IECMS at Chitungwiza Magistrates Court on Monday, Chikwanha said the digitisation programme, which started in 2022, has already covered eight provinces.
He said the eight provinces – Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South – had been fully digitised under the phased rollout, that moved to magistrates’ courts in July last year.
“We moved into the magistrates’ courts from last year in July, where we have been digitising court by court on a province-by-province basis. So far we have digitised eight provinces. We are left with two provinces, Harare and Bulawayo.
“We left those two for last because of the magnitude and enormity of the task; that is where we have the most concentrated members of staff and the highest number of litigations. We have targeted December 31 as the day on which those two provinces will be placed under the digitisation programme,” he said.
He said come December 31, 2026, Chitungwiza Magistrates Court digitisation will be functional under phase 4.5.
Chikwanha said to ensure no one is left behind, the JSC has set up e-filing offices and free internet hubs at courts, traditional leaders’ courts and police stations to assist those without gadgets or connectivity.
“We are opening these offices for those without electronic gadgets and internet to use. It will become very simple to access Chitungwiza court,” he said.
He said e-filing is free and has with empirical evidence reduced backlog and curbed corruption in courts where it has been introduced.
He clarified that only the aggrieved can use the electronic platform, while the accused will present themselves physically and have to appear in court in person.
Traditional leaders from Seke and surrounding areas who attended the launch welcomed the programme, saying it brings justice closer to the people.
“As traditional leaders, we welcome this programme. Our people used to travel long distances and spend a lot of money to come to court. Now they can file their cases from their homes. This will also reduce corruption because people will not need to meet court officials face to face,” said Chief Muswaka.
“We have understood the message. We are going to take this message to our villages and tell our people to register for this system. Justice must be accessible to everyone, even in rural areas,” said Chief Matiti.
The rollout is in line with Government’s digitalisation agenda and Vision 2030, which aims at ensuring accessible and efficient justice delivery for all.
New Ziana
