Concern over 226 remandees in Dedza

Human rights activists have expressed concern with the delay to release 226 remandees held at Dedza Prison, calling the situation a serious breach of their rights.

They raised the concerns on Friday during the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day at Dedza Prison organised by the Irish Rule of Law in conjunction with the Paralegal Advisory Service Institute (Pasi) with support from the Embassy of Ireland.

Dedza Prison spokesperson Holman Majiga said there were 226 remandees against 190 convicts, bringing the number of inmates to 416.

Pasi Central Regional team leader Alfred Munika has since asked government to speed up the passing of  the Prisons Bill which he said has a lot of benefits, including the parole system.

“This will help to decongest prisons which are currently full, thereby improving prisoners’ rights and their welfare. Both Ministry of Justice and the Paralegal Affairs Committee of Parliament did the work, what remains is to pass the bill in Parliament,” he said

Irish Rule of Law director of public prosecutions programme lawyer Immaculate Maluza said the 226 figure should be a concern as it means the cases are not moving.

“We are sure that there are some steps that government and partners, including us, have taken to alleviate the prison system, like passing the Prisons Bill,” she said.

Dedza senior resident magistrate James Mankhwazi acknowledged the challenge, but attributed it to their understaffing.

“But with police, Pasi and Legal Aid, we are working on this issue so that we can have amicable solutions to sort out this,” he said.

Dedza District Council principal administrative officer Moses Jere said the event enlightened the inmates on issues to do with their human rights.

The day was commemorated under the theme ‘Dignity, freedom and justice for all’.