By:Annakleta Haikera

Rundu-based lawyer Benhard Tjatjara has welcomed a move by the Office of the Judiciary to have High Court sittings from 1 to 31 August 2023 in the Kavango East and Zambezi regions.

The move was annunced by the Deputy Director of Public Relations in the Office of the Judiciary, Vikitoria Hango, in a media statement this week.

Currently, the High Court has two designated sessions: the Main Division which is based in Windhoek, and a local division which is based in Oshakati.

Judge-President Petrus Damaseb will preside over the court sessions at Rundu from 1 to 15 August, and at Katima Mulilo from 17 to 31 August.

The move is a welcome gesture by the Office of the Judiciary to bring justice closer to the people, alleviate the load of criminal cases, and make the presence of the superior court felt, according to legal minds.

Tjatjara said High Court sessions in the Kavango East and Zambezi regions should be cherished as it makes access to justice in terms of the High Court litigation of matters a reality for those who have to travel long distances from these regions to attend their cases.

“This has never happened in the Kavango East before and it also cuts legal costs for lawyers who need to travel to Windhoek and charge clients on distance and travel time,” he said.

The lawyer also expressed his enthusiasm, adding “it is one of the many good things in our time the Office of the Judiciary is doing to ensure access to the Superior Court. It can be a holy grail, especially for people who do not have deep pockets.”

Kassius Clay Mukennah a resident of Divundu in the Kavango East, who has been attending his court case in Windhoek since 2020, expressed that, “for the past 30 years since 1990 people living in the Kavango regions and those in the Zambezi felt neglected by the justice system, but to have High Court sittings on a temporary basis [in these regions] will help many, but not as much, as they would want it to be permanent.”

He added: “Imagine a country with so many government offices, but some of the largest regions do not have a High Court. I am glad that after all the years the justice system has made a great move to bring services closer to the people.”

Mukennah further said he had travelled more than 700 km multiple times in a year, with some witnesses to Windhoek attend High Court hearings for just five minutes, with the presiding officer “telling you that the case has been postponed to another date. Then you’re forced to travel back home with no hope, I used to be frustrated.”

The Deputy Director of Public Relations in the Judiciary said the decision to conduct High Court sittings in the Kavango East and Zambezi regions was taken after extensive consultation with various stakeholders, with the aim of promoting access to justice in regions that may encounter geographical and logistical challenges.