People in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mlolo in Nsanje District have asked duty bearers to rehabilitate a court that was damaged by floods at Fatima to facilitate access to justice.
One of the concerned citizens, Joshua Tembo from Napatsa Village, said people are struggling to access justice due to long distance to courts in Bangula and Nsanje Boma.
He said: “It is no secret that murder, theft, defilement and other criminal incidents are the order of the day.
“People go to Bangula on the west bank of the Shire River or Nsanje Boma, spending between K50 000 and K60 000 on a one-way trip. As a result, other cases have died a natural death since complainants and witnesses fail to travel to court.”
| Martin gela Jnr
Another community member, Patrick Williams of Gooke Village, said some village heads are now settlling cases that do not fall within their powers.
Speaking during a community police station executive review meeting on Saturday in T/A Mlolo, Nsanje district commissioner Sandram Naluso said they received communication from government that courts should be rehabilitated using the Constituency Development Fund.
“However, the communication came after council plans were finalised. Therefore, all courts, including Fatima Court, will be included in the next fiscal year,” he said.
Nsanje second grade magistrate Haneef Ngundende said the absence of a court in Fatima is a violation of constitutional rights.
He said: “Access to justice, whether civil, criminal or administrative, is a constitutional right.
“A poor person cannot afford K60 000. For us to go with a mobile court it requires about 90 litres of fuel plus allowances for us and police.”
Ngundende said he was pleased that the council plans to re-establish not only Fatima but also Nyachilenda courts in T/A Ndamera in the district
