Story by Yolanda Moyo
BULAWAYO played host to the official opening of the 2025 Legal Year, with Chief Justice Luke Malaba emphasising the need to build public confidence in the judiciary through multi-stakeholder participation.
The 2025 legal year was officially opened this Monday in Bulawayo, where the Chief Justice presided over proceedings, setting the tone for the judiciary.
The Judicial Service Commission’s decision to host this event in Bulawayo reflects its commitment to decentralise access to justice, in line with the Constitution and the government’s National Development Strategy 1 to devolved public services.
For the year 2025, the JSC seeks to build multi-stakeholder partnerships as it moves to enhance justice delivery in the country.
“For the year 2025, the Judicial Service Commission has developed a theme that symbolises the vision underpinning its strategic plan. It is a theme that resonates with the Commission’s desire to deliver not only world-class justice but people-centred justice which places the desires, ideals, values, and aspirations of the people at the forefront,” Chief Justice Malaba said.
“Accordingly, the theme for 2025 is: “Building public confidence in the judiciary through multi-stakeholder participation.” We believe that this theme will serve to strengthen and refocus the judiciary and all stakeholders in the justice sector, urging us to channel our efforts into building public confidence not only in the judiciary but also in all institutions within the justice sector.
“Achieving this goal requires a shared commitment to fulfilling our constitutional obligations that underpin the administration of justice. The active participation and collaboration of the judiciary and its stakeholders is essential, as without this collective effort, fostering public trust in the judiciary will remain unattainable.”
To improve on justice delivery, the JSC is this year set to implement level 4 of the Integrated Case Management System and fast-track courts.
“The introduction of the IECMS in the magistrates’ courts marks the fourth and final phase of its implementation. The JSC has resolved that the process will commence in January 2025. Given the size of the magistrates’ department, a phased approach will be adopted, starting with Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North Provinces,” the Chief Justice said.
Notably, in certain areas of court operations, magistrates’ courts are already integrated into the IECMS. Interactions between the magistrates’ courts and superior courts, including reviews, appeals, and applications in civil and criminal matters, are now conducted digitally. The aim is to ensure the magistrates’ courts achieve the same.”
The year 2024, which is under review, was the busiest for the JSC as it continued with its thrust of decentralising access to justice.
“In 2024, the JSC focused on decentralising magistrates’ courts to improve public access to justice. Five new regional courts were established in Kwekwe, Mutoko, Zvishavane, Mbare, and Guruve, with Guruve facing delays due to facility setup.
“Ten stations previously served periodically, Triangle, Kotwa, Shamva, Banket, Beatrice, Mabvuku, Chinamora, Nembudziya, and Wedza, now have resident magistrates’ courts. Some are operational, with others set to open in the first term of the legal year,” Chief Justice Malaba said.
“Mabvuku Court in Harare North is under construction. In Matabeleland South, a new resident court was designated for Brunaperk, and land has been secured for its construction.
“Additionally, circuit courts were set up at Cashel Valley, Mahusekwa, Lusulu, and Siabuwa. In total, the JSC established 5 regional courts, 10 resident magistrates’ courts, and 4 circuit courts in 2024. Furthermore, two new courthouses were commissioned to enhance access to justice.”
The JSC continues to perform better in clearing backlogs.
“The consolidated total number of criminal cases received during the period under review in this division is 6 375 cases while 500 cases were re-introduced, which is significantly less when compared to the year 2023, which received a total of 8 777 cases.
“Based on the above figures, the number of criminal cases that ultimately reached the regional courts for determination fell by 22 percent in 2024.
“Equally so, the Regional Division of the magistrates’ court completed a total of 7 284 criminal cases during the period under review, which is relatively less than the year 2023, in which 10 953 cases were finalised.
“The civil clearance rate by the end of November 2024 was 99 percent. 820 civil matters were brought forward from the year 2023 into 2024. 115 458 were received and 6 120 were re-introduced bringing the caseload of civil cases to a total of 122 398. Out of these, 121 503 civil cases were completed. In that regard, the clearance rate in the civil courts is encouraging.”
The Chief Justice emphasised the critical role of judicial officers in upholding the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
The Judicial Service Commission continues to implement several initiatives that are meant to enhance public confidence and increase access to the justice system in Zimbabwe.
“Some of these include the implementation of the IECMS at provincial magistrates this year, the introduction of fast-track courts, improved infrastructure developments at the courts, and decentralisation of courts.
