Mobile magistrates bring justice to rural Zambia
30 October 2008
Developing countries often lack the kind of transport infrastructure we in the
West take for granted. A lack of roads and railways obviously hinders trade and the
transport of goods. But it can also hinder the provision of basic services such
as law, order and justice.
In Zambia, DFID is supporting a new scheme that aims to make sure these
services get through to the people who need them. One project in particular is helping
to bring justice and restore
peace to some of the country's most remote communities.
No magistrate, no justice
Namwala and Itezhi-Tezhi are rural districts in the Southern Province of
Zambia. From 2000 to 2006, Itezhi-Tezhi was without a magistrate, which resulted in the build-up of a large
backlog of court cases.
One solution was to bring in the magistrate from Namwala, Mr Munalula. However,
with roads between the districts in such a bad condition and rainy season
flooding making the districts accessible only by boat for part of the year,
there was little chance of him actually making the journey.
In Itezhi-Tezhi itself, a lack of basic infrastructure added to the misery. Court buildings were rented from the local Catholic Hall, and even the chairs and benches had to be borrowed. Without proper filing systems, documents would often go missing and, without computers, photocopiers and fax machines, the work of providing justice became all but impossible.
As the backlog grew, lawlessness and crime escalated. Villagers stopped reporting crimes, taking justice into their own hands instead. As a result, the district became a more violent and dangerous place.
On the move
However, just as things were looking bleak in Itezhi-Tezhi, help came in the form of a Mobile Court Project, set up by the DFID-funded scheme.
Designed to provide transport, court facilities and office equipment to the court system, the project supplied the district with essential items, including a car, motorbikes, and a boat for use during the rainy season.
With the aid of the new facilities, Mr Munalula has become a "mobile magistrate", able to visit Itezhi-Tezhi district once a month. The backlog of cases has fallen from 400 to 197, and case disposal time now averages 10, rather than 60 days.
"The project has been a great success," says Mr Munalula. "All requirements are now in place: vehicles, photocopiers, faxes and benches for the court."
Justice in place
These
comments are echoed by others who have witnessed the changes at first hand. Namwala's Chief, Mukobela, noted
the difference that has been made:
“Before the project, the court was so congested it looked like there was a celebration of some kind!"
"But since its implementation, pending cases have reduced by half. Papers and documents used to go missing, but now all is in order.
"The project has also kept families together. Innocent suspects could have been held in custody for a long time, but now the husbands are back with their families. Justice is in place."
Facts and stats
- The Zambian Government launched the Public Service Management (PSM) programme in 2006 aimed at enhancing the delivery of services and creating an institutional environment for reducing poverty.
- The PSM is a £15 million programme to which DFID contributes £3 million, Sweden £3 million and the World Bank £7 million. Its main outcomes include a pay reform policy for the public service, restructured ministries, improved service delivery and efficient and effective management of the public service payroll.
- In the last two years, PSM has enabled the employment of over 6,000 teachers and 2,000 medical personnel.
- This financial year, DFID will give around £40 million of development assistance to Zambia.
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