OTJINENE – A long-held dream of the legal fraternity of Otjinene was realised on Friday when Minister of Justice Utoni Nujoma inaugurated a first-class magistrate’s court in the constituency.
The court complex houses two courtrooms, a cash hall, a boardroom, offices for magistrates, prosecutors, ombudsman staff, the legal aid department, clerks, interpreters, a victim-friendly room for witnesses, holding cells, ablution facilities for staff members and for the general public as well as a garage and generator room – all built at a cost of N$23.5 million fully funded by the government.
Speaking at the inauguration, Nujoma said the government is providing such facilities to enable people to have quick clearance of cases. He added that lawyers should also show interest to ensure that cases are disposed of quickly by making use of the modern facilities and modern technology.
“What we are witnessing today is an eloquent testimony of the desire of the government to put into practice its policy of strengthening the administration of justice through the expansion of court facilities and services to reach most parts of our country,” said Nujoma.
He said the goal is to provide access to justice for all people irrespective of colour, race, ethnic origin, sex, religion, or social or economic status.
“Until the construction of this court facility, services normally associated with a permanent resident court and staff magistrates, prosecutors and the support staff had to cover travel 340km from and to Gobabis to conduct the periodic court at Otjinene and litigants residing in this part of the country, particularly in the context of civil litigation, had to endure the inconvenience of travelling hundreds of kilometres,” he said.
“I hope that with the commencement of business at this court many of our people are now able to have their cases heard locally and hopefully in a speedier manner,” he added.
He said the completion of the Otjinene magistrate’s building project would without doubt enable the magistrates and the supporting staff to carry out their duties for the benefit of “our people living in this part of the country so that they would no longer need to travel to Gobabis to litigate”. The court complex will serve the residents of Talismanus, Eiseb Block, Epukiro and Otjinene itself.
The complex is also expected to render other quasi-judicial services to the public such as inquests, children inquiries, domestic violence inquiries and maintenance enquiries and to handle various financial transactions in a safe environment.
In addition, it will serve as a stimulus for the establishment of legal firms within its direct vicinity.