Magistrate calls for collaboration
Kasungu first grade magistrate Biar Joshua Kamanga has called for coordinated efforts among stakeholders in the district to expedite justice delivery.
He said this on Monday during a meeting with the court users committee in the district.
Kamanga said bail is not granted to most of the accused persons, especially at the police, because of some communities’ perceptions that when suspects get bail, then the police most likely received something in return.
magistrates affects process
He said: “But the laws are clear that even the most senior officer at police has powers to release accused persons on bail or release them unconditionally where there is no evidence to charge the suspect with any case.”
Kamanga, who also mentioned shortage of judicial staff officers as another challenge, further said prison cells are also congested because accused persons stay on remand beyond the expiry of their remand warrants.
Kasungu Police Station spokesperson Joseph Kachikho attributed the congestion and the failure by police to give bail to several factors, including the shortage of judicial staff.
“We take them to court to answer their charges, but the shortage of magistrates in Kasungu affects the process,” he said.
But Paralegal Advisory Service Institute programmes coordinator Chimwemwe Ndalahoma, whose organisation is championing the Chilungamo-Access to Justice Programme, admitted that some of the challenges are not by design but due to resource constraints.
