MOBILE COURT PILOT PROJECTS LAUNCHED IN ZAMBIA
The Judiciary of Zambia has officially launched a pilot project for Mobile Courts in an effort to tackle the severe congestion in the country’s correctional facilities. The initiative aims to ensure faster legal proceedings, reduce the backlog of cases, and promote access to justice for all accused persons, including those currently in custody.
During the launch event, High Court Judge Justice Charles Zulu, speaking on behalf of Chief Justice Mumba Malila, emphasized that the project is a critical step toward upholding human rights and ensuring justice is accessible to all. He stated that no accused person should be forgotten or condemned without due process, stressing that those in detention deserve the same legal considerations as individuals out on bond or bail.
The issue of prison overcrowding has reached alarming levels in Zambia, with Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri revealing that the country’s correctional facilities are operating at over 300% capacity. He disclosed that while the official prison system was designed to accommodate only 9,150 inmates, it currently holds more than 28,000 individuals.
“Such extreme congestion in our correctional facilities is a serious human rights concern,” Mr. Phiri stated. He further explained that the situation has led to deteriorating living conditions, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and inadequate access to healthcare, sanitation, and basic human dignity for inmates.
The Mobile Courts initiative will focus on expediting cases, particularly for pre-trial detainees and individuals facing minor offenses, ensuring that justice is delivered fairly and without unnecessary delays. By bringing court proceedings closer to correctional facilities, the project seeks to decrease the backlog of cases and improve access to timely legal representation.
Speaking on behalf of the inmates, Imelda Muswela Kwenda urged the government to consider alternative measures, such as granting bail for minor offenses, as a practical way to ease congestion in prisons. She argued that many individuals are detained for non-violent crimes that could be handled through community service or alternative sentencing mechanisms.
The launch of Mobile Courts is part of a broader effort by the Judiciary of Zambia to reform the country’s criminal justice system and enhance access to fair trials. Legal experts and human rights organizations have welcomed the initiative, calling it a progressive move toward ensuring justice for all citizens while addressing the urgent humanitarian crisis within correctional facilities.
As the pilot project unfolds, stakeholders will assess its effectiveness and explore potential long-term implementation strategies to ensure sustained improvements in Zambia’s judicial processes and prison conditions.
By Best Jere
