Nsanje needs more courts —police

Court users in Nsanje have expressed concern about the delay in the delivery of justice due to the closure of some courts in the district, forcing people to travel long distances to access justice.

Nsanje Police prosecution officer Beston Chimbelenga says the situation is affecting police work as some alleged offenders are being discharged because witnesses fail to appear in court on a trial date.

“The way the justice system works is that if there is no evidence supporting a crime the suspects are let free. Now we have had cases where alleged offenders have been set free just because a witness failed to show up and give his/her testimony,” Chimbelenga said.

He said since neither the court nor the police provide transport and other expenses to complainants and witnesses during trial, many people find it costly to attend such trials; hence, do not avail themselves to testify in a trial.

Chimbelenga appealed to the Judiciary for immediate re-opening of the courts.

Nsanje district courts administrator Kenneth Butao acknowledged the problem and said his office is working towards solutions.

“It is true that the closure of some courts in the district has brought some setbacks in the delivery of justice but my office is currently working around the clock to re-open all the three non-operational courts in the district,” Butao said.

He disclosed that the district will soon receive some magistrates who will be deployed to the areas where there are no magistrates.

Three out of the six courts in Nsanje are active, including the one at Nsanje Boma which has a first grade magistrate and is capable of handling major cases.