Traditional courts set to lay down law in April

OSHAKATI – Traditional courts will become operational in all 41 recognised traditional authorities in Namibia from April, according to Boas Mweendeleli, spokesperson for eight traditional authorities in northern Namibia.

Traditional authorities are in the process of identifying judges, assistant judges and secretaries to administer and carry out prosecution in their authorities. Mweendeleli indicated that in terms of the Traditional Courts Act, judges and secretaries have to be registered with the Ministry of Justice before assuming their duties.He explained that traditional courts, in conjunction with the Police, would have the power to arrest and confine offenders.”Traditional courts are going to work in close relation with Magistrates Courts,” Mweendeleli told Nampa, adding that an offender who appeared before a traditional court was entitled to legal representation.Anybody refusing to appear before a traditional hearing was liable to pay a fine of N$1 000, he warned.He also noted that a fine of N$20 000 or five years in prison could be imposed on a person who made witchcraft threats.The Traditional Courts Act came into effect on November 12, Mweendeleli said.- NampaMweendeleli indicated that in terms of the Traditional Courts Act, judges and secretaries have to be registered with the Ministry of Justice before assuming their duties. He explained that traditional courts, in conjunction with the Police, would have the power to arrest and confine offenders. “Traditional courts are going to work in close relation with Magistrates Courts,” Mweendeleli told Nampa, adding that an offender who appeared before a traditional court was entitled to legal representation. Anybody refusing to appear before a traditional hearing was liable to pay a fine of N$1 000, he warned. He also noted that a fine of N$20 000 or five years in prison could be imposed on a person who made witchcraft threats. The Traditional Courts Act came into effect on November 12, Mweendeleli said. – Nampa