Justice minister delivers vehicles to community courts at Opuwo

Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel on Thursday handed over two vehicles to the Otjikaoko and Ongandjera community courts at Opuwo, as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen access to justice in rural areas.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Immanuel said the initiative aims to improve the visibility and effectiveness of community court officials, particularly in remote areas where access to legal services remains limited.

He noted that community courts play a vital role in bridging the gap between the justice system and ordinary citizens.

“By bringing justice closer to the people, we are ensuring fairness, inclusivity and equal access for all members of society,” he said.

The minister added that the initiative aligns with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which emphasises inclusive governance, improved access to justice, and the strengthening of public institutions.

He said the establishment and support of community courts under the Community Court Act No 3 of 2010 reflects the government’s commitment to decentralising legal services and promoting participatory governance.

Immanuel further stressed that the government is committed to ensuring that community courts operate with efficiency, transparency and accountability.

He said the provision of vehicles forms part of broader efforts to improve service delivery and ensure that justice remains accessible and sustainable for both present and future generations.

However, he acknowledged that limited resources prevent the government from equipping all community courts at once.

The programme, which started last year, saw about eight courts receiving vehicles, with more being supported this year.

He explained that allocation is based on factors such as the size of a court’s jurisdiction, the number of cases handled, and the availability of licensed drivers.

To address capacity challenges, Immanuel said the government has enrolled court messengers without driving licences in driving schools at the state’s expense, contributing to skills development and employment creation.

Meanwhile, Ujeuetu Tjihange, senior traditional councillor in the Otjikaoko Traditional Authority, said the community has long struggled to reach residents due to long distances between settlements.

“With people living far from each other, it has been a challenge for us to reach them, but now we are relieved and very happy to have this vehicle,” said Tjihange. – Nampa

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