Swearing-in of 23 new magistrates set to reduce ca...

Swearing-in of 23 new magistrates set to reduce case backlogs: JSC

Michael Mashiri

The Judicial Service Commission on Friday swore in 23 new magistrates, 10 of whom will be deployed to the Harare province, in a move

The 23 magistrates, comprising of 15 males and eight females were sworn in at the Harare Magistrates' Courts.

Speaking in an interview, Chief Magistrate, Faith Mushure said this was the first time more male magistrates than female magistrates have been sworn in.

"15 male magistrates were sworn in and eight females. Currently, our establishment stands at 250 magistrates comprised of 146 females and 104 males.

“In terms of combating corruption, JSC has adopted a zero tolerance to corruption. If there are allegations of corruption, they will be thoroughly investigated,” she said.

Mushure said they had taken it upon themselves to ensure better service conditions for the magistrates.

She highlighted that there were magistrates who have been working more because of pressure and the newly-appointed will reduce the pressure.

“Last year, all our senior magistrates were given vehicles and we have eased pressure on them.

“The Chief Justice, at the beginning of the year, congratulated us for reducing backlogs but now the thrust that we are taking as an organisation is to introduce staff wellness. We have stations where magistrates are working long hours so the swearing in of these magistrates is meant to alleviate that and it enables them to research and give you quality judgements.

“From the group sworn in today, we are going to add 10 more magistrates in the Harare province because there are many cases here,” she said.

She added that other magistrates will be at the Harare Magistrates' Courts, others in Mbare and Epworth. Others will go to new areas like Shamva and Nembudziya where new courts will opened.

Mushure also said by year end they would jave introduced the Integrated Electronic Case Management System at rhe Harare Magistrates' Courts.

"I believe backlogs will be a thing the past, we will hear cases as expeditiously as possible.

"We launched the first, second and third phase of integrated electronic case management system by year end we should be able to introduce fourth phase of Integrated Electronic Case Management System at magistrates' courts.

"We want to make sure sure that our clients are compatible with the system that is why we now require email addresses of accused persons and those without can be assisted so that our litigants will not be caught unaware when we finally launch the system," she said.

Last time, the Judicial Service Commission swore in 15 magistrates who were drawn from various fields as a way of improving the justice delivery system.