Four cases involving charges of murder and domestic violence are expected to be heard during a two-week-long circuit session of the High Court that started at Katima Mulilo on Thursday.
Judge president Petrus Damaseb will be presiding during the court’s sessions in the Zambezi region from 17 to 31 August.
Speaking at Katima Mulilo on Wednesday, deputy prosecutor general Johan Pienaar noted that many murder cases involving domestic violence are recorded in the Zambezi region, and said it was good that the High Court would have a circuit court sitting in the region.
Pienaar added that the aim during the court’s presence in the region would be to finalise the cases that will be heard.
“I don’t think we want partly heard cases whereby the High Court must come back,” Pienaar said.
“We want to fight murder cases with the Combating of Domestic Violence Act at the grassroots level. The fact that the High Court is visible in the Zambezi region gives more confidence in the accessibility of justice in the region. It is the first time for these circuit sittings, but my hope is that they are done annually, especially in these two north-eastern regions, because we have a lot of murder and rape matters. These circuit sittings will help us fight crime better,” he said.
Also on Wednesday, Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu said a new magistrate’s court currently under construction at Katima Mulilo will soon be completed and should further promote access to justice.
Sampofu highlighted that besides the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court, the region has two periodic courts at Ngoma and Impalila Island. However, only the Ngoma court is currently operating.
