Mashonaland West Goes Paperless As IECMS Phase 4.4 Launched In Kadoma
By Azriel Chimeno
Kadoma successfully hosted a historic transformation in justice delivery, with the official launch of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) Phase 4.4 at Kadoma Magistrates Court on 1st October 2026.
The launch,, formally ushered Midlands and Mashonaland West provinces into a fully paperless justice system, as the two provinces joined other provinces that had already gone paperless under IECMS. From 1st October, all Magistrates Courts in the two provinces became paperless, with cases now filed, tracked and heard electronically.
Speaking to The Observor during the two-day roadshow and launch held in Kadoma, Director for Judiciary Research and Innovation in the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Panashe Gombiro, confirmed that the launch was a success and that Kadoma had become paperless.
Gombiro said the JSC technical team had been on the ground in Kadoma for two days conducting roadshows and awareness programmes to equip and educate residents before the official launch.
“The launch was held on 1st October at Kadoma Magistrates Court and all became paperless. Midlands and Mashonaland West provinces have now joined other provinces in becoming paperless,” said Gombiro.
“We had been in Kadoma for two days conducting roadshows, equipping and educating residents about IECMS. I am happy to say Kadoma was ready to go paperless and the launch was a success,” he said.
He said the response had been overwhelmingly positive:
“The residents were ready and had embraced the IECMS. They had understood that this system would save them time, save transport costs and bring justice closer to them. The enthusiasm we saw in Kadoma confirmed that the provinces were ready to go paperless,” he said.
Under IECMS Phase 4.4, all Magistrates’ Courts in Mashonaland West officially became fully paperless. All filing of cases is now done electronically, some proceedings are conducted virtually, and all users are now required to be registered electronically.
During the roadshows in Kadoma CBD and Rimuka, Ingezi , residents expressed their delight at the new system and said they were ready.
One resident from Rimuka said the system was a relief for ordinary litigants who had been spending money travelling to court. “I am very happy about this IECMS. In the past, we would spend a lot of money coming to court just to check a date or file a paper. Now we are told we can do it on our phone from home. This will save us time and transport money. We were ready for 1st October,” he said.
Another resident, a small business operator in the city centre, said the 24/7 access and virtual services would help business people. “As a business person, I don’t have time to queue at court the whole day. This paperless system is welcome because I can file and track my case after hours. We were educated during the roadshow and we understood it well. Kadoma was ready,” she said.
Gombiro said such feedback showed that the public education campaign had been effective.
“We explained to the people that all they needed was a smartphone, computer or laptop, internet connectivity and a valid email address. They can now lodge their legal documents from anywhere and track their cases 24/7. Both Midlands and Mashonaland West understood this and on 1st October, all became paperless,” he said.
The Integrated Electronic Case Management System is a robust, web-based platform that connects all institutions in the justice delivery sector and automates all aspects of a case life cycle.
“It is transformational as all our courts are now paperless,” Gombiro said, reiterating the JSC’s theme.
The system is now being used by Judicial Officers, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), Law Society of Zimbabwe, Attorney General’s Office, National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), Legal Aid Directorate, Messenger of Court and members of the public.
Its key benefits include collaboration, operational efficiency, accountability, time and transport cost saving, improved communication, transparency, 24/7 availability and saving paper.
With two days of roadshows completed and the official launch successfully held at Kadoma Magistrates Court, Kadoma became a model for the Phase 4.4 roll-out, as Midlands and Mashonaland West officially joined other provinces in becoming paperless.
“Kadoma has shown us that when people are properly educated, they embrace innovation. The official launch was a success and all have become paperless,” said Gombiro.
The launch at Kadoma Magistrates Court was attended by senior JSC officials and justice sector stakeholders, with live demonstrations of the IECMS platform.
