Integrated Justice Centre excites Zimbabwean delegation

Faustine Kapama

DAR ES SALAAM: JUDGE President of the High Court of Zimbabwe, Justice Mary

Dube, was ecstatic on Tuesday upon learning about the establishment of a judicial centre specifically designed to handle family-related cases in Tanzania.

On the second day of her visit to the country, she paid a courtesy call to the Chief Justice of Tanzania, Prof Ibrahim Hamis Juma.

Justice Dube expressed her admiration for the Integrated Justice Centre on Family Matter Temeke, a large building that she had seen.

She was particularly impressed by the inclusion of all stakeholders in the justice dispensation system, especially the Social Welfare Officers.

Justice Dube explained that although they have a family division in the High Court of Zimbabwe, it is small and part of the main High Court. They do not have a stand-alone family division like the one in Tanzania.

Justice Dube emphasised the benefits of having a specialised family division, including the ability to focus on specific aspects of family law and the inclusion of social workers to support children and women.

She thanked the Chief Justice for accepting their call and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome they received upon their arrival in Tanzania. Adding, she said that their visit was intended to learn, share and network with fellow judges and she hoped that their relationship would continue in the future.

Justice Dube also expressed appreciation for the programme that allowed them to learn about the electronic advanced case management system. She noted that while their system is similar, there are some gaps that led them to visit Tanzania.

The Chief Justice of Tanzania thanked Justice Dube and her team for the visit and welcomed her to Tanzania, expressing hope for continued communication between their countries.

The Judge President’s three-day visit to Tanzania began on November 26, 2023. She is accompanied by other officers, including the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, Mr. Walter Chikwana, the Registrar of the High Court of Zimbabwe, Ms Kudzai Maronga, the Head of Finance of the Judicial Service Commission, Mr Milton Shadaya and the Head of Information Technology (IT) of the Judicial Service Commission, Mr Obey Mayenga.