https://www.263chat.com/government-launches-virtual-court-sittings/

Feb. 7, 2022

The Judicial Service Commission has devised a virtual court session in order to minimize backlog and time spent in pre-trial custody by inmates while simultaneously lowering administrative and operational costs.

PRINCIPLES OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL Approved

Cabinet approved the Principles of Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill. The Bill states that in order for a legal practitioner to be registered to practice in Zimbabwe it is a requirement that they be resident in Zimbabwe.  In the event that the legal practitioner is not resident in Zimbabwe they would be granted a residential exemption certificate

Magistarte Courts under revamp

Roofing of the new Epworth Magistrates Court is complete;
(iv) Plumbing and electrification of the new Lupane Magistrates Court in Matabeleland North Province is 80% complete, while 95% of
the office and courtroom furniture has been procured;
(v) brick work on the southern wing of the new Gwanda Magistrates Court Complex in Matabeleland South Province and clearing of the road and car park have been completed, while trenching has
reached 50%;
(vi) works on the super structure of the new Chiredzi Magistrates
Court in Masvingo Province is ongoing; and
(vii) the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) for efficient and effective justice delivery is being tested for compliance with court processes and specifications

Members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Receive e-Skills Training

Members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) are receiving e-skills training to pave way for the new Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) that will facilitate virtual sittings of the courts among others.

Members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Receive e-Skills Training

Members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) are receiving e-skills training to pave way for the new Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) that will facilitate virtual sittings of the courts among others.

Courts Construction and Renovations

The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs,advised that construction of Chinhoyi Magistrates Court, Mashonaland West, and Lupane Magistrates Court, Matabeleland North Provinces are on schedule.

Chinhoyi provincial court building complete

The Second Republic will be recording another milestone towards infrastructure development with the official opening of the now almost completed Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court

Government challenges ruiling of High Court against Chief Justice

The Zimbabwean government appealed against a high court ruling that extending the chief justice's tenure by five years was illegal.

President launches JSC strategic plan

President Mnangagwa launched the Judicial Services Commission 2021-2025 strategic plan. The JSC is critical in the country’s drive to develop and achieve targets set in Vision 2030. He highlighted thhat the judiciary is also important in the fight against corruption. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) should play a leading role in the fight against corruption and speed up the conclusion of corruption cases before the courts as Government pursues a development agenda anchored on strong, responsive and transparent institutions.

Swearing in of (8) new Commissioners of the Judiciary Services Commission (JSC)

Eight new commissioners were sworn in to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to join four others, including chairman Chief Justice Luke Malaba.

The new commissioners are Supreme Court judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu, Chief Magistrate Mr Munamato Mutevedzi, Law Society of Zimbabwe president Mr Thandaza Masiye-Moyo, veteran lawyers Misheck Hogwe and Ms Nokuthula Moyo, Ms Rosalia Kumbirai Katsande from academia, accountant Mr Francis Vurayayi Chingozho and human resources expert Ms Trish Jasi.

They have replaced High Court judge Justice Happias Zhou, former chief magistrate Mr Mishrod Guvamombe, former LSZ president Mr Lloyd Mhishi, accountant Mrs Priscilla Mutembwi and lawyers Mrs Priscilla Madzonga and Mr Josphat Tshuma.

Swearing in of (16) magistrates at the Harare Magistrates Court

Sixteen magistrates who were sworn-in at the Harare Magistrates’ Court hit the ground running by presiding over various criminal matters in different courtrooms. The new magistrates were alternating between courtrooms, as they marked the beginning of their new careers as judicial officers. Acting Chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, said the 16 would go a long way in improving justice delivery.

Training of the Judiciary on Judging Corruption Cases

Government has invited a top-notch Ugandan Anti-Corruption Court judge to train Zimbabwe’s Judiciary, ahead of the establishment of anti-corruption courts.

Justice Lawrence Gidudu, who has been heading Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court for five years, is in the country to conduct a week-long training to be attended by judges, magistrates, prosecutors, anti-corruption investigators and police officers, among other stakeholders.

Ongoing construction of the Chinhoyi Magistrates' Court.

Construction of the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court is progressing well;
seven high profile corruption cases and eight minor corruption cases were identified. Despite delays emanating from referrals to superior courts, finalisation of the cases is being taken seriously

President E.D. Mnangagwa appointed 5 new judges to the High Court

President Mnangagwa has appointed five new judges to the High Court bench in an effort to solidify the judicial organ and ensure expedience in justice delivery.The judges comprising four men and one woman are expected to take oath of office before Chief Justice Luke Malaba when the final term of the 2019 Legal Year opens in September 2019. Veteran lawyer Advocate Webster Chinamora, prominent Bulawayo lawyer Christopher Dube-Banda, Labour Court judge Evengelista Kabasa, Zimra head legal department Siyabona Msithu and Sunsley Zisengwe, who boasts shining legal accolades after he obtained first-class law degrees at both undergraduate and master’s levels, are the latest to join the High Court bench

The Constitutional Court banned the use of State security agents as public prosecutors at civilian courts.

The Constitutional Court banned the use of State security agents as public prosecutors at civilian courts, saying their secondment to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was a serious violation of the Constitution. The ruling came following an application filed by the Zimbabwe Law Officers’ Association and former public prosecutor Derek Charamba, where the parties were seeking an order compelling Prosecutor-General (PG) Kumbirai Hodzi and Justice Ziyambi Ziyambi to stop engaging police and army personnel as public prosecutors. Sometime in January 2015, the late former Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, who headed the nine-member ConCourt bench, reserved judgment in the matter after submissions were made by the PG’s representative Sharon Fero and applicants’ lawyer, Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara.