Judge reiterates call for help

Working in partnership is the way forward in the delivery of justice in the rural areas, says administrative judge for criminal matters in the Central Province, Justice Panuel Mogish.

Speaking during the opening of the Central Province circuit legal year on Tuesday, the judge explained that it is a very expensive exercise to conduct National Court circuits.

Despite National Court circuits being an expensive exercise, Justice Mogish said it must be done for justice to be seen in the rural areas.

It costs K300,000 to conduct one circuit, which is a duration of 10 days.

In a year, there are three National Court circuits where court parties go out to the provinces that don’t have a resident judge. 

For Central, Justice Mogish said it costs them up to K1 million a year and the bulk of that is spent on vehicle hire and accommodation. Vehicle hire is around K800 a day for the Toyota 10-seater.

“I think it’s about time the provincial governments subsidise the National Court Circuits,” said Justice Mogish.

He said one way to decrease costs is to build a compound for the court party on circuit to go and use instead of travelling to and from the city during court circuits.

He added that land is available for this option, which will very much lower the cost of paying for accommodation and transport.

Last year the judge called on the government to assist the court with court circuits during a court user forum at the Kwikila National.

 

Author: 
Gloria Bauai