• THE rehabilitation of some court premises countrywide has lifted the image of the juduciary.

By STANSLOUS NGOSA –

DESPITE efforts to deliver a speedy and timely judicial process, access to justice for all citizens in Zambia still remains a dream for many.
This is largely due to inadequate court infrastructure. Where there are courts, the existing structures are so dilapidated and unfit for human habitation or use. In many cases, and common in the country’s hinterlands, there is a complete absence of the courts.
Others still have to walk or travel long distances to reach the nearest court. Consequently, this has lead to the slow disposal of cases and congestion in the already bloated Police and prison cells.
For this reason, the Judiciary of Zambia has embarked on a countrywide programme of construction and rehabilitation of local and subordinate courts, to bring justice closer to the people.
Local court officer Agatha Chipende said the project, which is being rolled out to all districts, includes construction of new courts where there has been none in existence and a complete overhaul or renovation of the existing court structures.
“The main purpose is to bring justice as close as possible to the local communities,” Mrs Chipende said.
Mrs Chipende said between 2010 and 2011, 10 local courts were constructed in all the provinces apart from Muchinga which was created afterwards.
She, however, said the new province has been catered for under those being constructed in the 2012-2013 phase.
Mrs Chipende said staff house accommodation which was also a challenge because it was difficult to transfer workers is steadily being addressed as more houses are being constructed near the courts.
Mrs Chipende said the improved infrastructure has continued to motivate staff as well as building confidence in the public.
She says the image of the Judiciary local courts in particular is uplifted much to excitement of the public.
Some of the local courts that are operational include Mukukutu Nasiwayo (Grade A) in Nalolo District, Shang’ombo subordinate court and local court (Grade B) in Shang’ombo District in Western Province.
In Southern Province, Kazungula (Grade A) urban local court in Kazungula District, Kalomo subordinate court complex in Kalomo District, while in Lusaka Chongwe (Grade A) urban local court.
Chongwe local court has been designed as a Model local court.
In Lusaka, Chilenje (Grade A) local court has been renovated under the Access-to-Justice programme and is now operational.
Construction works have reached an advanced stage for the following courts, Kalabo (Grade A) urban local court in Kalabo District.
The contractor, Kutambuka Entreprises is expected to complete and hand over the new court time. Zimba (Grade A) urban local court in Zimba District will soon be operational once water supply is connected.
“Communities in these areas are encouraged to maximise the use of these courts. The Judiciary of Zambia remains committed to its shared vision of providing appropriate infrastructure and equipment of the highest standard. Further, the Judiciary of Zambia will endeavour to provide equal access to justice for all people regardless of their location,” Mrs Chipende said
At its headquarters in Lusaka, office space was a challenge such that some Judiciary staff were forced to operate from undesignated places.
To a larger extent, this led to demotivation of staff which might have a negative impact on the quality of service to the people and the nation at large.
Coming to terms with reality, the Judiciary management purchased the premises which housed the National Housing Authority (NHA) headquarters in Long acres to increase office space.
Strategically located to the Judiciary, the premises is specious and it would be easier for the institution to put up other structures to link it with the Supreme Court building for safer and speedy movement of files.
The main building of the Judiciary – the Supreme Court building – was so overstretched with office space when other departments such as information technology (IT), public relations (PR) and research advocates were established.
Due to inadequate office space in the main building of the Judiciary, IT staff used to operate in Judges’ Chambers and sometimes in the registry. As for the researchers, they were squatting in places such as libraries which, somehow, adversely affected their work.
Following the acquisition of the premises, all support staff for the Judiciary central administration have relocated from Supreme Court building to the new premises, while the chief administrator, Director Human Resource and Administration and Registrar, Supreme Court Judges and their marshals, and research advocates and court reporters have remained there.
The main building of the new premises has accommodated the Commercial Court where marshals, court researchers and real court reporters are working from while an annex has housed the central administration which includes human resource, administration, accounts, internal audits and procurement departments.
Judiciary administrative officer Boniface Zulu Jr is happy that with the acquisition of the building, the researchers would be able to do their work in a better environment.
The Judiciary has in the recent past received K79.3 Billion for various operational and development programmes from which capacity building got K1 billion, contributions and subscriptions to organisations K1.2 Billion, dismantling of arrears K19.8 billion, information management K4.7 billion, and infrastructure development got K4.4 billion.
The Supreme Court was given K1.4 billion and the High Court K4.3 billion. High Court functions on the Copperbelt got K1.1 billion and local courts received K1.3 billion.
Central Province received K1 billion for High Court operations, while local courts received K1.3 billion.
Local courts in Northern Province received K1.8 billion from which K1.4 billion was for infrastructure development.
On the other hand, subordinate courts in Southern Province received K1 billion, whileinfrastructure development was allocated K1.4 billion.
High Court operations in Eastern Province were allocated K1.2 billion while infrastructure development received K1 Billion, Subordinate Courts K1.3 billion, and local court infrastructure development K1.4 billion.
Luapula Province received K2.1 billion for local court infrastructure development and for the same purpose North-Western Province received K1.8 billion and Western Province K1.3 billion.
Cleophase Chanda of Kitwe’s Kamfisa area says the rehabilitation of local courts countrywide has lifted the image of the local courts.
“It is nice to see some these new building unlike in the past where one could think the infrastructure was declared as monument and it did not require any facelift,” Mr Chanda said.
It is good to that the face of the local courts is changing and confidence is expected to be instilled in the client.
Mr Chanda, however, urged the Government train some justice because some of the ruling heard in the local courts leave much to be desired.
He claims the high education among the justices would bring integrity to the local court unlike what they are perceived today.
Bupe Mwansa of Lusaka’s Kanyama Township said the rehabilitation of the local courts would improve on speedy justice delivery.
“I hear in some parts of Zambia, courts sessions are held under a mango tree, meaning during the rainy season the sittings stop sitting thus delaying justice delivery,” Ms Mwansa said
It is therefore believed that with the rehabilitation and construction of new courts, the development is expected to defeat a saying which goes; ‘Justice delayed is justice denied.’