The Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) and Technomag Private Limited have written to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) requesting permission to livestream court proceedings in a matter where 15 opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators are challenging their recall by the party’s self-proclaimed interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu.
The case is set for hearing at the High Court on Thursday.
Misa and Technomag, through their lawyers from Scanlen and Holderness, said the case was of national interest hence the request to have a live broadcast.
“MISA is a duly registered trust, and its mandate is to defend and promote media freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information. Technomag is a duly registered and licensed media house in Zimbabwe.
“Our clients are seeking permission to broadcast and livestream the court proceedings in the case of Prince Sibanda and Others versus Sengezo Tshabangu and Others HCH 6649/23 which is set down for hearing on the 2 of November 2023.
“Broadcasting and livestreaming in this case will involve the use of video cameras and audio equipment that allows the real-time airing of the court proceedings.”
The lawyers also argued that the JSC had the power to grant the request by virtue of Section 190 (2) of the Constitution.
The section mandates the JSC to promote the effective and transparent administration of justice in Zimbabwe.
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“The same section confers all the powers that are needed for you to fulfil your mandate and we believe granting leave to broadcast, and live-stream court proceedings is one of such powers,” the letter said.
The JSC has developed an online platform to manage cases through the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) which requires electronic handling of all court proceedings and documents.
It also requires trial proceedings to be done virtually which disadvantages the public who may want to follow the proceedings as it only allows parties to the cases to follow the proceedings.
