Govt moves to adopt virtual courts

By The Standard and Newsday | Mar. 17, 2022 | 1 Min read

The Bill was presented by the Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is the chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

BY MIRIAM MANGWAYA CABINET yesterday approved the Judicial Laws Amendment Bill that will provide for virtual court sittings.

The Bill was presented by the Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is the chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing, acting Information minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu said the Bill also provided for the establishment of the Office of the Messenger of the Labour Court to enforce judgments.

“Cabinet advises that the Judicial Laws Amendment Bill seeks to provide for virtual court sittings in both civil and criminal proceedings and to align various provisions of judicial laws to the Constitution,” Ndhlovu said.

Government adopted information communication technologies for virtual courts to enhance the justice delivery system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Judicial Service Commission launched the virtual court system last month to speed up the completion of cases clogging judicial processes.

Cabinet also announced that this year’s independence celebrations would be held in Bulawayo.

“Cabinet reports that the 2022 children’s party and the 42nd anniversary Independence Day celebrations will, for the first time in the history of the nation, be held in Bulawayo… This is in line with the second republic’s drive towards the promotion of national unity, devolution and decentralisation.”