GOBABIS – The Windhoek, Katima Mulilo and Walvis Bay magistrates’ courts re-opened on Monday after being temporarily closed for two to three weeks respectively.

The courts were closed after a judicial officer at the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court, a public prosecutor at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court, an accused who appeared in the traffic court in Windhoek and a staff member at the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court all tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

A media statement issued by the spokesperson in the Office of the Judiciary, Ockert Jansen, availed to Nampa on Monday, said since the closure of the three courts, the Office of the Judiciary has made all the necessary arrangements to ensure the safety of the judicial officers, staff members, court officials and the general public.

Chief magistrate Philanda Christiaan as quoted by the statement said the decision to re-open the three courts have been taken in consultation with the Chief Justice, Peter Shivute, after all courts were successfully fumigated and are safe for re-occupation.

“We have also identified and categorised employees into first and second contacts and made arrangements that the ones that are exposed as first contacts continue their self-isolation and monitor their general conditions,” said Christiaan.

On his part, Jansen urged the public to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations when visiting courts, emphasising that courts form an integral part of society that ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that justice is administered – “and that is why the courts cannot be closed for a prolonged period even during times of a state of emergency”. – Nampa