Delayed inauguration for new Katima Magistrates’ Court annoys residents

By Simon Liseli

The Delayed inauguration of the new state-of-the-art building for the Ministry of Justice in Katima Mulilo has sparked angers and concerns to residents on why those offices are not yet opened for use to the public. 

The construction of the new building was completed almost some 5 years ago, according to the concerned residents, the current offices for the Ministry of Justice at Katima Mulilo were constructed before the country got its independence in 1990, and are now dilapidated in the verge of collapse and looks old.

These offices include court rooms that are currently in use without ablution facilities for many years while the court waiting room has started falling apart and it’s no longer in use by people going to attend court proceedings.

“As we talk now when you go to court you will find people who are waiting to attend to their cases, sited under mango trees or standing along roofs of other offices, we don’t know why are they not opening those new offices so that people cannot suffer the way they are suffering now, even when rain comes, they have nowhere to prevent themselves from it, which is a very serious concern to us. We need a clear answer on what is going on with the new building” noted a concerned resident who opted to remain anonymous.

He added that when nature calls, they don’t help themselves, unless when they go across the bushes while fearing that they may be called in, while when they are absent a warrant of arrest will be written for their arrests.

However, Mr. Simon Idipo, Chief Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Justice confirmed to Caprivi Vision that the ministry is still looking on the matter but promised to respond on the administrative matters as some of the responses should come from the Directorate of Judiciary.

Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab in her Budget Speech for 2023-2024 Financial year for the ministry during her introduction of Vote 16 on April 3, 2023 in the National Assembly said that the Katima Mulilo Magistrates’ court project has been the subject of an ongoing dispute resolution process between the Ministry of Justice and the contractor who was appointed for the project.

“That dispute was subjected to arbitration, which has since failed”. Alluded the justice minister Dausab.

Justice minister stressed that “The matter will soon be taken to the high court for an application to restore the possession of the building by the Ministry of Justice to complete the project and this is done with the intention to have the building to its intended users as a matter of urgency”

This is a developing story and will continue updating it as more information is released