‘IECMS designed to promote judicial efficiency’
THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has said its recently introduced Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) is aimed at improving efficiency in justice delivery in Zimbabwe and is part of efforts to digitise the courts system in line with modern trends globally.
Reacting to the Parliamentary Legal Committee’s adverse report on IECMS, JSC said there were so far no changes to the implementation of the system in Zimbabwe.
“In fact, we are on course regarding the digitisation of our courts. We are shocked with the contents of the adverse report which do not reflect what is actually on the ground.
“What is contained in the report is not what is happening,” said JSC spokesperson Mr Daniel Nemukuyu.
“The report speaks of access to internet and gadgets as a challenge. We are not sure if the committee is aware of the sub-registries that we set up across the country to cater for those who require gadgets, internet and assistance on how to use the system.
“All our court stations across the country have electronic filing offices with computers and internet for use by those in need.
“The offices are manned by trained officers who are ready to assist litigants on how to navigate the IECMS system,” he said.
Litigants could file their papers from the offices at no cost and could even attend virtual hearings from there without any challenges.
“Another good thing is that JSC has upgraded internet connectivity at its courts in preparation for IECMS and our courts are found in almost every district in Zimbabwe.
“At some stations, we now have both Liquid Telecoms and TelOne internet services to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.”
Previously, litigants, would travel all the way to Harare from Mutoko to file papers at the High Court, but because of IECMS, one could simply visit the nearest court at Mutoko Centre and file all the papers electronically from there, free of charge.
Contrary to what was raised in the report, IECMS was actually fast-tracking access to justice for all.
“JSC remains available to cooperate and work with all the agencies of Government to ensure access to justice for all, especially the most disadvantaged or the indigent.
“Effectively, litigants must not travel long distances to access the High Court, Supreme Court or Constitutional Court. They should simply do it comfortably from where they live,” said Mr Nemukuyu.
Before, during and after implementation of IECMS phases, the was JSC continuing to engage all stakeholders, listening to complaints or suggestions on how to improve the system.
The Law Society of Zimbabwe was a key stakeholder that was involved in the implementation of IECMS since 2022.
“We held a number of meetings and trainings with lawyers and other stakeholders in all the provinces, listening to their issues and training them on how to use the system.
“After meetings with stakeholders, we realised some law firms had not fully invested in internet services, hence we quickly set up internet hubs at High Court stations in Harare and Bulawayo with more computers to accommodate lawyers and litigants in need.
“We will soon move to other High Court stations in Mutare, Masvingo and Chinhoyi. The meetings were also fruitful in the sense that we shared ideas with legal practitioners and other stakeholders on how to improve the system and to curb the technical glitches that we experienced during the first days of implementation.”
The adverse report had given the impression that it sought to ensure litigants, especially the indigent, continued to travel long distances to access the courts and file papers manually when JSC now provided such a service.