Gibson Mhaka
THE Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has hailed the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) for a number of achievements it has made since its establishment 12 years ago saying it had greatly contributed to the improvement in the country’s justice delivery system.
Speaking at a dinner held by JSC in Bulawayo to mark 12 years of its existence last Friday, LSZ president Wellington Magaya said the achievements were in line with its quest to ensure access to justice for all.
“Since the setting up of the JSC we have seen a number of developments in the justice delivery system. Among the notable achievements are the following: Decentralisation of the High Court, setting up of permanent magistrates’ court stations in various corners of the country, setting up of the Commercial Division of the High Court and introduction of the Integrated Electronic Cases Management System (IECMS).
“Renovation of court buildings and infrastructure around the country and appointment of more judges for the High Court and the increase in the number of female judges. These are commendable moves and we would like to applaud the JSC for these achievements and many more,” said Magaya.
He said at the heart of all these achievements was the promotion of rule of law and access to justice.
“Justice must be accessible to both the poor and the rich and the decentralisation of the courts has helped improve access to justice. The magistrates’ court where most disputes are resolved is also now more accessible to the public and commercial disputes can now be speedily resolved following the establishment of a dedicated commercial court division of the High Court,” said Magaya.
Magaya encouraged the JSC to address a number of issues which he believes if addressed would also improve access to justice and the rule of law.
“We continue to ask for a review of filing fees especially in the High Court. Fees are too steep and that will hinder access to justice. The second concern is the welfare of judicial officers, there is a need to improve their working conditions. This is because unpaid judicial officers are susceptible to corruption.”
He said judicial independence also remained a key pillar to the continued success of the JSC and the country as a whole.
“We must continue to promote and guard jealously the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession. Cases of corruption in the lower courts require collaboration of all justice sector to resolve.
“On our part as the LSZ we have a zero tolerance to corruption and I want to applaud Mr (Walter) Chikwanha (JSC executive secretary) and his team for collaborating with us to ensure that those dismissed for corruption and other offences involving dishonesty are not allowed into private practice,” said Magaya.
