The Shambyu Traditional Authority in the Kavango East Region and the Masubia Traditional Authority in the Zambezi Region each received a vehicle from the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations.

Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Wise Immanuel said the vehicles are intended to facilitate the transport of court messengers. This will enable the messengers to serve various court processes, including orders, notices, subpoenas and summonses, within their designated areas of jurisdiction.

The minister said community courts play a strategic role in society and that the donation of the vehicles is an investment in the delivery of justice.

“It is also about ensuring that conflicts between community members are resolved before they escalate into ugly situations,” Immanuel said.

Receiving the vehicle, Hompa Sofia Mundjembwe Kanyetu of the Shambyu Traditional Authority said she has many villages in her area of jurisdiction, with several located in remote areas.

She said the vehicle will therefore ensure that hearings can be conducted in places more than 200 kilometres away.

Ngambela Raphael Mbala of the Masubia Traditional Authority also thanked the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations for the gesture.

Mbala said the Kabbe area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Masubia Traditional Authority, is difficult to access because of its terrain and constant flooding. He said this affects the delivery of justice.

Mbala is now calling on the government to consider providing a boat during the flooding season to ensure that community courts can offer their services throughout the year.

The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has so far donated 14 vehicles to community courts nationwide.