Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
MAGISTRATES’ Courts in Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North provinces have gone digital as the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), being implemented by the Judicial Service Commission, went live in the provinces on Tuesday.
The move, which is part of the fourth phase of IECMS implementation, sees these courts transition to a fully paperless environment, with electronic case filing and tracking now available to the public.
Visiting the Bindura Magistrates Court and the civil court, JSC Secretary Mr Walter Chikwanha interacted with court officials and members of the public to assess the system’s launch.
“The system has gone online today, the courts in Mashonaland Central are all under the IECMS system they are all digitised when you want to file documents, file pleadings, when you want to interact with the courts and other players in the justice administrative system you do it through the IECMS system that we have deployed, so I felt it is important to come on my own to check how we have started,” he said.
The digital system enables litigants and legal practitioners to file cases electronically, track progress remotely, and communicate with the courts through a unified online platform, a first for many users in the region
Shepherd Kausika, who was following up on his case at the courts ,said the process was flowing smoothly.
“I no longer have to come here physically, but can follow my case on my phone. I first came on June 16 and was told to return today, so now I will be following the developments electronically,” he said.
To assist users unfamiliar with the digital interface, e-filing help desks have been established at all participating courts, offering technical support and guidance.
The IECMS is expected to improve judicial efficiency, enhance transparency, and reduce both delays and the risk of information loss. It also comes with the added benefit of minimising human contact, which is critical in the evolving digital justice landscape.
The Judicial Service Commission is set to roll out the system to the remaining Magistrates’ Courts nationwide in the coming months as Zimbabwe moves towards a modern, streamlined justice delivery model.
