National Council members have raised concerns over delayed service delivery in the justice system, urging more magistrates' courts in regions to speed up cases.

The MPs voiced these issues while contributing to the Judiciary vote during the committee stage. They attributed court backlogs to judge shortages nationwide.

Uukwiyuushona Constituency Councillor Andreas Amundjindi highlighted lower court problems. "That is the reality. You cannot go to the lower courts. There is a backlog of cases because there are not enough magistrates. Judicial magistrates do not see the overcrowding in police cells. Some people are kept there for months on small cases. Some are there because their cases are minor and they cannot afford bail. How can you grant bail to a person earning only N$1,000 per month when bail is set at N$1,000?"

Ompundja Constituency Councillor Adolf Uunona decried lengthy delays. "Some cases take five or six years without a verdict for the suspect, and that is not good. We need improvements in court deliberations and judgements. Those responsible must address this. The public needs cases to be heard promptly by magistrates and judges to limit delays before verdicts are given."

Epukiro Constituency Councillor Piniel Pakarae supported decentralisation. "The judiciary is the institution that interprets and applies the law, while justice is the abstract concept of fairness, quality, and moral rightness that the judiciary aims to deliver. In decentralising the judiciary, the team led by the ED should visit all regions, especially Omaheke, to identify sites, plots, or facilities for establishing periodical courts."

Epupa Constituency Councillor Daniel Kuuoko criticised police holding cells. "The system should determine if a person is guilty. Police stations are full of offenders whose cases are unattended. As lawmakers, we are not doing enough to reduce overcrowding in holding cells. Those found guilty are not sent to correctional facilities; they languish there for years."