By Felix Mwatutsa
MARONDERA– Chief Justice Luke Malaba recently commended magistrates’ courts in Mashonaland East for their performances and vowed to resolve the electricity issues at Chivhu Magistrates’ Courts and address the water shortages at the Mutoko Magistrates’ Courts.
Speaking at a Chief Justice’s luncheon, Chief Justice Malaba said the Mashonaland East magistrates’ courts are performing well.
He said that Walter Chikwanha who is the secretary of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) informed him about the dire water situation at the Mutoko courts and the prolonged electricity outage. Apparently, administrative personnel failed to intervene, prompting Chief Justice Malaba to pledge the provision of boreholes and generators for the Chivhu court.
Chief Justice Malaba blamed the administrative personnel and the Treasury for not informing them about the dire situations facing Chivhu and Mutoko magistrates’ courts.
“The Treasury could not provide the money because they could not tell us. All this means is that there is inefficiency in the Treasury. So, this interaction has laid bare where the problems are. The problems are not with the provinces.
I can tell you now that I am very happy, as Chief Justice that the magistrates’ courts are performing very well in the province,” he said.
Chief Justice Malaba further stated that he wants to see a full transition of the JSC to digital, phasing out paper usage.
“Don’t use volumes of paper but rather send the documents as soft copy. If you don’t have a computer or you can’t use it, just inform us and we can work out ways on how we can assist you. In January, we will be fully implementing the Integrated Electric Case Management System (IECMS), because it has proven to be an efficient tool to the administrative of JSC,” the Chief Justice Justice said.
He emphasised that the courts’ purpose goes beyond addressing wrongdoing as it is also about fostering happiness, peace, unity and respect within the community. Furthermore, Chief Justice Malaba stressed that justice is not solely about discussing recent issues or witnessing magistrates sending people to prison but rather promoting a harmonious and respectful environment.
“So, let us respect each other. Don’t think that because we are here, we should not care about ourselves. We must care about ourselves. Are we relating to each other properly? Are we respecting each other at work, or do we take each other as instruments? Do we love each other? Are we happy at work, or are we just coming in because we want some financial gains? As members of the JSC, we should maintain a high level of professionalism, as any misbehavior would tarnish our image,” he said.
Chief Justice Malaba noted that commission members have a responsibility to provide proper and competent service to all individuals, regardless of their background, appearance, or emotional state.
