Judiciary call for stakeholders to help stop child defilement

THE Solwezi High Court has recorded a decline in the number of criminal cases filed in 2020 compared to 2019. According to records under the court registry, 167 cases were filed in 2020 of which 135 were disposed of as compared to 197 cases filed in 2019 out of which 163 were disposed of. Kitwe High Court Judge Maria Kawimbe observed a reduction of aggravated robbery, murder and deaths caused by dangerous driving in 2020.  “Statistics from the high court operations show that in 2020 a total of 167 criminal cases were filed in the Solwezi high court out of which 135 were disposed of. This is compared to 2019 when there were 197 filings out of which 167 cases were disposed of,” she stated  “It was observed that there was a reduction of cases in the offences of aggravated robbery, murder and causing death by dangerous driving,” Justice Kawimbe said. Justice Kawimbe could not, however, state what led to the reduction but was quick to mention that collective efforts from stakeholders in fighting crime could be registering some reward. She was speaking in Solwezi today during the 2021 ceremonial opening of the high court criminal session. She however, noted with sadness that despite the slight decrease in other criminal cases, gender based violence offences such as defilement, indecent assault and rape cases have continued to rise.  “It is disheartening to note that gender based violence offences continue to rise and are largely committed in the home and family environment among persons who are closely related or known to the victims,” Justice Kawimbe said. Justice Kawimbe said despite the stiff punishment meted out by the court, a growing trend of impunity has been observed among perpetrators. She called for more efforts at the family and community level in the fight against crime as these are fundamental elements in shaping human and societal behaviour. Speaking at the same event, Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary Willies Mangimela pledged government’s support to institutions in the justice system to ensure justice is delivered to all who need it. Mr Mangimela said government is aware of the challenges affecting most institutions such as inadequate court infrastructure and transport and that efforts are being made to resolve them. “Government is aware of the many challenges being faced by institutions in the justice delivery system which include inadequate court rooms, inadequate transport. Efforts are however being made to address some of them. Institutions such as the Zambia Police Service, Correction service, immigration received vehicles last year to ease their operations,” Mr Mangimela said He further commended the judiciary for reducing the case load in 2020 despite the many challenges being faced. Speaking earlier during goal delivery, Zambia Correctional Services Regional Commanding Officer Joseph Kondoloni said the COVID-19 pandemic is posing a risk to inmates as most of them are congested. Mr Kondoloni said Solwezi central correctional facility has the highest number of inmates standing at 411 followed by Mwinilunga with 109 while Kasempa has 102 inmates. He added that Zambezi correctional facility has 96 inmates, Kabompo 85 and Mufumbwe has the lowest at 36.