Mzimba Prison Station officer-in-charge Thomas Dambe says delay to complete cases has contributed to congestion at the facility.
He said this on Friday when the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) conducted a public hearing on challenges contributing to inefficiency and in effectiveness of law institutions in Malawi.
everything. | Elton Mhango
Dambe said they are keeping 216 suspects on remand. He said out of the figure, 48 are murder suspects, with some of their cases dating back four years back.
“Our plea to the police and courts is that they should move fast to conclude cases to bring justice and reduce congestion at the facility,” he said.
On his part, Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande said it was sad that cases take too long to complete.
He said there are many factors that prevent people in the district from accessing justice, including long distances to the courts, selective arrests and prosecution, expensive legal representation and unnecessary adjournments.
“We need to work together with our friends from the police and Judiciary to ensure these issues are addressed and improve on delivery of access to justice,” he said.
Beitty Gondwe Msowoya, a police officer, who is also a State prosecutor, said their duty is to arrest suspects and take them to court for prosecution.
“It is the courts that allocate time and dates to hear cases,” she said.
MHRC commissioner Tereza Ndanga, who chairs the civil and political rights committee, said they will consolidate the complaints and engage concerned parties on the way forward.
