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Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent.
THE judiciary is set to be put under the spotlight as the local chapter of anti-graft watchdog Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) is planning to deploy trial observers at courts to monitor corrupt activities.

Over 20 trial observers were trained by a lawyer from the Legal Resources Foundation, Ms Muchaneta Mundopa, at a two-day workshop held in Bulawayo on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Speaking at the close of the workshop, TIZ executive director, Ms Mary Jane Ncube, said the initiative was a pilot project, the first of its kind in the country aimed at fighting corruption at the courts.

She said the programme was not a witch-hunt, but an exercise to ensure that justice is done.

“The purpose of this training and having trial observers is to help the Judicial Service Commission and the Government to fight corruption in the courts so that we preserve their integrity. This project is not a witch-hunting exercise but a process to see that justice is done,” said Ms Ncube.

She said her organisation was not going to work in isolation but would work in conjunction with the JSC.

“We are going to formally approach them so that the trial observers are recognised to prevent friction. We will not just barge into the courts and they see us working. That will create suspicion about the whole project. We have an advantage in that we are on talking terms with the JSC and very soon we will be knocking on their door with the project,” she said.

The initiative comes at a time when the Senate is debating corruption, with members saying it was now rampant in the country.