By FAUSTINE KAPAMA-Judiciary, Dar es Salaam
Judge President of the High Court of Zimbabwe, Justice Hon. Mary Dube today dated November 27, 2023 met with Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani and expressed her gratitude on good cooperation that exists between the two countries and judiciaries as well.
Speaking in his office in Dar es Salaam on the first day of her benchmarking visit to the Judiciary Tanzania, Hon. Dube, who has been accompanied by four other senior judicial officers from Zimbabwe explained that the two countries are old friends and they value the contributions that Tanzania gives to Zimbabwe.
“As you highlighted earlier on, Tanzania is old friend for Zimbabwe, (……) There are so many other African countries in this Continent, who are ready on this system of case management, but we choose you (Tanzania) because of already existing good relationship between the two countries,” she told her host.
Judge President of the High Court of Zimbabwe pointed out that they have come to Tanzania to learn various judicial activities due to great reforms the Judiciary of Tanzania has made in the chain of dispensation of justice, especially on case management and Information Communication Technology (ICT) areas.
“We are here to learn, we have embarked on the system, but we obviously want to make improvements (….) Before we embarked on the system, we used to hear matters physically, pleadings were being filed physically. We hope that will be able to learn from your experiences, we will share the little that we have gathered so far in the past two years,” she said.
According to her, they were looking forward to also learn how the Judiciary of Tanzania has navigated through the system by making the country networked as once one goes in rural areas, he or she could easily access the internet, thus they would wish to know how that was made possible.
Hon. Dube recalled of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ Forum Conference and Annual General Meeting held recently in Arusha, the eastern part of Tanzania, where delegates were informed of several achievements the Judiciary of Tanzania has attained, including advances in recording, transcribing and translating of proceedings.
“We do not know exactly how you go about this, that is one of the reasons why we are here, we want to learn so that when we go back home, we will be able to implement the system. We are also here to real look at how Tanzania have got a way to get people from rural areas connected easily to the system,” she said.
Judge President of the High Court of Zimbabwe seized such an opportunity to extend their gratitude for the warm welcome the Judiciary of Tanzania extended to them, from Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport where they were received and accompanied to the hotels. She said that was a picture of very friendly person, which is Tanzania.
On his part, Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania told Judge President of Zimbabwe High Court and her delegation that their decision to choose Tanzania as a point of benchmarking was indeed a privilege because there are many other jurisdictions in Europe and African countries that have also advanced in the case management system.
He explained that the visit by Hon. Dube was significant as it allows both parties to share insights and experiences to advance their common goals of justice dispensation. “We are excited to engage in constructive discussions and learn from each other,” Hon. Siyani said.
The Principal Judge explained that exchange of experience to highlight the historical ties between the two countries is very important. He pointed out that the two countries role in liberation of Zimbabwe and the continuity collaboration, including the post-independence development initiatives where Tanzania sent Judges to serve the High Court of Zimbabwe, underscores the enduring partnership between the nations.
“This sharing historical experiences demonstrate our commitment to fostering a long past collaboration that transcends boarders and generation,” Hon. Siyani said. He informed his guest that they have prepared a comprehensive program to ensure a fruitful visit and they were enthustic about sharing insights and discussions that strengthen their judicial cooperation.
Other officers from the Judiciary of Tanzania who attended the meeting are Judge in Charge of the High Court of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Zone, Hon. Salma Maghimbi, Judge of the High Court of Tanzania and Head of Judiciary Delivery Unit (JDU), Hon. Dkt. Angelo Rumisha, Chief Court Administrator, Prof. Elisante Ole Gabriel, Acting Registrar of the High Court, Hon. Projestus Kahyoza, Director of Case Management, Hon. Desdery Kamugisha, High Court Administrator Leonard Magacha, Acting Director of Information and Communication Technology Allan Machela and Personal Assistant to the Principal Judge, Hon Aidan Mwilapwa.
Judge President of the High Court of Zimbabwe arrived in Tanzania yesterday dated November 26, 2023 for three days benchmarking visit. She has been accompanied by other officers, including the Secretary of Judicial Service Commission, Mr. Walter Chikwana, the Registrar of the High Court of Zimbabwe, Hon. Kudzai Maronga, the Head of Finance of Judicial Service Commission, Mr. Milton Shadaya and Head of Information Technology (IT) of the Judicial Service Commission, Mr. Obey Mayenga.
The high table led by Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani (centre) with the delegation from Zimbabwe Judiciary.
The high table led by Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani (centre) in a group picture with all officials who attended the meeting.
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