By Sellah Chunda

Lilongwe, September 17, 2024: In a significant move towards modernizing Malawi's judicial system, the government has launched its E-Justice initiative, which aims to improve access to justice, particularly for marginalized communities.

The announcement was made during the Malawi E-Justice National Conference held at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, from September 17th to 18th, 2024.

Minister of Justice, Titus Mvalo, highlighted the government's commitment to embracing E-Justice.

“As government, we are determined to fulfill e-justice. We acknowledge the gap in computer literacy; hence, we will ensure this gap is addressed from the primary school level. Additionally, we will establish community ICT centers to give people in villages access to computers and E-Systems.” Mvalo stated.

Mvalo underscored the financial and time-saving benefits of digital justice, aiming to enhance efficient court proceedings and ensure timely delivery of justice.

“The implementation of E-Justice systems requires substantial investment, not only financially but also in education and public sensitization. The benefits, however, are significant—greater transparency, improved record management, and a stronger fight against corruption,” he said.

UNDP Resident Coordinator, Fellena Frost, also emphasized the importance of digital transformation, stating that UNDP is committed to supporting digital transformation to improve service delivery.

"Malawi is making significant progress in its digital transformation, particularly in expanding access to justice. The introduction of digital solutions like E-Courts is bringing judicial services closer to the people, irrespective of their location or financial standing.

“This is especially important for rural communities, where traveling to courts can be costly and time-consuming," Frost said.

Frost stressed the need for strong government commitment, particularly in terms of budget allocation for digital transformation.

“The presence of both the Minister of Justice and the Chief Justice at the conference signals a strong commitment to this cause. In comparison to other nations, Malawi has made notable strides, but there is still room for growth,” she explained.

In his remarks, Chief Justice Rizine Robert Mzikamanda stressed the importance of increasing computer literacy from an early age to improve the efficiency of service delivery. He called for continuous public sensitization and the adaptation of E-Justice solutions to local contexts.

The conference, themed "Relying on Digital Transformation to Close the Justice Gap," brought together various stakeholders to discuss and gather ideas for the successful implementation of E-Justice in Malawi.