Chiefs commend Primary Justice Programme in Ntcheu
Chiefs in Ntcheu have commended the Primary Justice Programme for building the capacity of traditional case handlers and tribunals in the district.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, Senior Chief Kwataine said the capacity building of the traditional case handlers and village tribunals has contributed to the reduction of favouritism and corrupt practices by village tribunals when administering informal justice.
“This programme has enlightened the village tribunals on the importance of being fair when handling cases especially cases which involve women and children who in most cases are marginalised and vulnerable to unfair informal justice administration by village tribunals,” said Kwataine.
The programme is funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID) through Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP)of the Lilongwe Diocese.
Kwataine said the programme has introduced case record books at almost every village tribunal so that case handlers are able to keep cases’ records for future reference.
Commenting on the activities of the programme, Ntcheu Primary Justice Programme officer Mike Makalande said community members know where to seek justice and refer their cases to.
The programme is being implemented in the areas of Senior Chief Kwataine, traditional authorities (T/As) Masasa, Ganya, Phambala and Chakhumbira in Ntcheu.
—Reporting by George Bulombola, Mana
