‘Protect children from indecent video content’

National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has cautioned owners of video showrooms in Blantyre against exposing children to indecent material.

Speaking on Saturday during a court user’s committee meeting which comprised chiefs, faith and community leaders, parents, the Judiciary, Police and Nice volunteers, Senior Chief Kapeni said young people indulge in risky behaviour because they watch films with indencent content. 

“As a result, children are involved in criminal activities, drug and alcohol abuse, which has led to school dropouts,” he said.

Kapeni asked the Police to close down video showrooms found showing indecent films to children.

Directorate of Community Services acting regional services officer for the Southern Region Jane Nyirenda  asked stakeholders to find immediate solution to the problem.

She said: “I urge you to deal with this problem. I also ask magistrates and police officers to expedite cases under their jurisdiction to serve as a warning to would-be offenders.

“Everyone should be committed to delivering justice in time and to clear the backlogs of cases.”

The court users committee chairperson George Chimombo, who is also Chisenjere Court first grade magistrate, pledged to expedite the cases, saying he Judiciary is  committed to delivering justice on time.

“We will implement what we have discussed to improve justice delivery,” he said.

Blantyre Rural Nice civic education expert Glory Maulidi asked the stakeholders to take the messages on human rights to the people.

“Conduct awareness meetings that will help those in conflict with the law to access justice on time,” she said.

During the meeting, participants also expressed concerns with suspects who stay too long on remand and human rights abuses.

The meeting was funded by the Europian Union under the Chilungamo Project which seeks to speed up delivery of justice among vulnerable groups.