THERE are a lot of hapless Zambians who are rotting in correctional facilities throughout the country waiting for their day in court.
Most have found themselves in this situation not because they are guilty.
It is because they lack legal representation for they are not in a position to hire lawyers to represent them and hence push their cases through the court system.
Those who are able to acquire the services of the Legal Aid Board is often long after they have been locked up and made a first appearance in court.
For others, they have to rely on voluntary para-legals serving in nongovernmental organisations who do not cover the whole country.
It is therefore heartening to learn that the government is oblivious of their plight and has resolved to ensure that legal services are spread throughout the country.
The Ministry of Justice yesterday announced what can only be described as a positive move, that it will soon open legal aid desks in five additional districts to enhance provision of the legal aid system in the country.
Minister of Justice Mulambo Haimbe said the new dawn administration was committed to supporting the work of paralegals for them to provide effective and sustainable legal aid to vulnerable Zambians across the country.
Mr Haimbe noted that paralegals play a cardinal role in providing legal services to Zambians who could not afford private lawyers.
Most people have found themselves being locked up for a long time even over trivial offences due to the congested courts.
Their plight is made worse by the fact that they do not have access to private legal services. Those who are lucky are captured by para legals who help them navigate through the complex judicial system.
In some cases, some are forced to bribe their way out of the correctional centres – if they have the means.
Government should thus be commended that it will soon open new Legal Aid offices in Nakonde, Mbala, Petauke, Mwinilunga and Mazabuka.
This is to ensure that all suspects enjoy their constitutional rights being represented in the courts of law” said Mr Haimbe.
Mr Haimbe made the announcement when he opened a two-day international legal conference in Lusaka dubbed EnACT LegalTech to explore the introduction of technology to help in the provision of legal aid to vulnerable people in the country.
The two-day conference has attracted high profile local and international participants and experts from the Southern African region and beyond prominent among is Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Uganda.
We have no doubt that the outcome of this august gathering will go a long way in improving the country’s legal system particularly in relation to ensuring that the most vulnerable are not left behind.
The poor are often forgotten immediately they find themselves in police cells for they have no one to speak for them.
We recall for example how former Patriotic Front deputy secretary general, Ms Mumbi Phiri spent over six months in police cells before she could appear in court.
Ms Phiri in a nutshell became the face of the countless people who are waiting in correctional facilities for their day in court.
Our appeal therefore is for the government to ensure that legal aid desks are opened throughout the country, especially in remote areas.
We note that 19 legal Help Desks have been created at subordinate courts, correctional facilities and police stations to help mitigate limited access to legal aid for vulnerable people as reported by Mr Haimbe.
Yes, Zambians must strive to build a country in which justice should not only be for a privileged few, but even the very poor.
