The coronavirus pandemic accelerated the digitalization of several public services in Zimbabwe, including the digital system. In the country, numerous reforms are ongoing to improve the judicial system and dematerialize the process.

Zimbabwe will launch the second phase of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) next February 1. The web-based system will manage cases and automate and track all aspects of the case life cycle, from initial filing to disposition and appeal.

"On February 1, we are going live at the Labour Court and Administrative Court. [...] We call upon all current and potential court users to register with the system," said Daniel Nemukuyu, the judicial service commission's head of corporate services.

The judicial service commission launched the first phase of the IECMS on February 7, 2022, with the aim of reducing case backlogs, preventing the loss and physical damage of case documents, improving the accessibility of information, and modernizing industry operations.

Under IECMS, several cases have been referred virtually and the Commercial, Supreme and Constitutional Courts are already planning to hold virtual trials. The second phase will integrate the system into the platforms of institutions like police prisons and correctional services, the prosecutor's office, the national prosecuting authority, the legal aid directorate, and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Court.

"We are running training sessions for court staff and other court users on how to use the new system ahead of the official implementation of the second phase on February 1," added  Daniel Nemukuyu.

It is worth noting that the project lines up with the government and the judicial services commission's policy, which aims to bring the justice system closer to the population in accordance with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

Samira Njoya