Otjozondjupa Regional Council has welcomed the creation of the special wildlife court in the region as a means to speedily handle cases and deter would-be offenders dealing in protected game products.

This sentiment was shared by Otjozondjupa Regional Council Chairperson, Marlene Mbakera, during a courtesy call to the Governor's office by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs at the Otjiwarongo.

According to Mbakera, the region's central location makes it an entry and exit zone for poachers.

Equally, the region is also experiencing widespread wildlife crimes, and prosecution against suspects takes years to finalise at the magistrate's courts.

Construction of the new court at Otjiwarongo is in its final stages.

Mbakera added that the special court, once completed, will be a powerful deterrent to wildlife crimes, as such cases are now receiving full attention from the judiciary.

She also called for children's courts to be set up, as well as courts that deal with adoption and the creation of safe houses.

The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Capital Projects and Legal Affairs, Tjekero Tweya, said a report will look into such requests and recommend it to Parliament.

The six-member delegation undertook a three-day visit to the region to assess the progress of capital projects and establish needs and challenges in all the constituencies.