The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will, this year, recruit additional judges as part of efforts to reduce mounting case backlogs and improve the delivery of justice.
In an interview with the media, yesterday, JSC Secretary, Dr Walter Chikwanha, said the recruitment drive was a strategic response to increasing caseloads across the courts, which have been worsened by capacity constraints and the growing demand for judicial services.
He argued that strengthening the judiciary was critical to ensuring timely justice and building public confidence in the justice delivery system.
“The Judicial Service Commission has prioritised the recruitment of additional judges this year as a deliberate measure to address the persistent challenge of case backlogs.
“We are aligning our operations with National Development Strategy 2, which places emphasis on institutional efficiency, access to justice and the strengthening of governance systems,” Dr Chikwanha added.
He said the shortage of judges had a direct impact on the speed at which cases were finalised, particularly in the High Court and specialised courts, adding that delays undermine the rights of litigants and the credibility of the justice system.
“Justice delayed is justice denied, and we are fully aware that backlogs erode public trust in the courts.
“By increasing the number of judges, we expect to significantly improve case clearance rates and ensure that matters are heard and concluded within reasonable timeframes,” Dr Chikwanha noted.
Dr Chikwanha said the recruitment process would be conducted in line with constitutional provisions, with a strong focus on merit, integrity and professional competence. He said transparency would remain a cornerstone of the exercise.
“The Constitution is very clear on how judges are appointed, and the JSC will strictly adhere to those provisions.
We want judges who are not only highly qualified, but who also uphold the highest standards of independence, ethics and professionalism,” he said.
He added that the recruitment of judges was part of broader reforms being implemented by the JSC to modernise the judiciary under NDS2, including the use of technology and improved court administration.
“Our mandate under NDS2 is to contribute to a modern, efficient and responsive justice delivery system. Recruiting more judges goes hand in hand with ongoing efforts such as digitalisation of court processes and capacitating judicial officers,” Dr Chikwanha added.
He said the JSC remained committed to working with Treasury and other stakeholders to ensure that the judiciary is adequately resourced to meet its constitutional obligations.
“We are confident that these interventions will go a long way in decongesting the courts and enhancing access to justice for all Zimbabweans,” Dr Chikwanha said.
