2026 Judicial Year Rolls In To Life
By Courts Reporter
The 2026 year came to life, following it’s official opening in Harare today by Chief Justice Malaba, at an event that set the tone for the judiciary’s plan for 2026 that coincided with the end of tenure for the legislature’s five year strategic plan in 2025.
The event highlighted the success that was realised in 2025 in general and the overall performance of the 2021 -2025 strategic plan while setting the tone and objectives for the 2026 legal year.
“The Judiciary looks back at the year 2025 as a period marked by important transformative developments in the justice delivery system. These included the continued decentralisation of the courts, the expanded implementation of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (“IECMS”), investment in staff welfare and training, and the strengthening of key institutional frameworks that support the work of the courts.” Chief Justice Malaba said.
Furthermore, “The year 2025 also marked the final year of implementation of the Judicial Service Commission’s (“the Commission”) Strategic Plan 2021 to 2025. Under that roadmap, a number of initiatives were planned, including the decentralisation of the courts and the digitisation of court processes through the deployment of IECMS and associated reforms. Those aspirations were, in large measure, achieved.”
”The theme for the 2026 Legal Year is: “Using performance management and technology to ensure quality, inclusive and sustainable judicial service.”As has been observed in previous years, the theme is a product of careful thought. It is designed to streamline areas of focus and priority for the Judiciary.” Malaba also emp
The commission highlighted the adoption of the results based approaches key to monitoring the overall performance and operation of the Judiciary as widely adopted by government.
“The Commission is now integrating the Integrated Results-Based Management (“IRBM”) system as the principal performance management framework for the Judiciary, linking planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation to clearly defined results. This is also the system that the Government of Zimbabwe has adopted under the whole of Government approach as a tool to assess performance for public institutions.” Malaba further highlighted.
The launch comes at a time the country’s judiciary has been criticised for large numbers of backlog cases, corruption, nepotism and political interference in its operations.