Temporary magistrates given the thumbs-up

TEMPORARY magistrates appointed to tackle backlogs in the country’s lower courts have received a vote of confidence.

Addressing State prosecutors at the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court last week, Prosecutor General Martha Imwalwa appealed to them to lend their support to the temporary magistrates. “The newly appointed magistrates are only available for a specific period of time and therefore we should minimise applications for leave and avail ourselves to serve our nation,” said Imwalwa.The temporary magistrates have been appointed on a two-year contract by the Justice Ministry.Imwalwa urged the country’s courts to ensure the availability of prosecutors during this period.She also urged prosecutors to properly screen case dockets before placing them on the court rolls.”The reason behind this is to ensure that only good or worthwhile cases go to court, without wasting any time on unnecessary cases that are going nowhere,” she said.In this way, she said, more cases could be finalised and new backlogs could be avoided.”The newly appointed magistrates are only available for a specific period of time and therefore we should minimise applications for leave and avail ourselves to serve our nation,” said Imwalwa.The temporary magistrates have been appointed on a two-year contract by the Justice Ministry.Imwalwa urged the country’s courts to ensure the availability of prosecutors during this period.She also urged prosecutors to properly screen case dockets before placing them on the court rolls.”The reason behind this is to ensure that only good or worthwhile cases go to court, without wasting any time on unnecessary cases that are going nowhere,” she said.In this way, she said, more cases could be finalised and new backlogs could be avoided.