Judiciary call for stakeholders to help stop child defilement

THE Solwezi High Court has recorded a decline in the number of criminal cases filed in 2020 compared to 2019.

According to records under the court registry, 167 cases were filed in 2020 of which 135 were disposed of as compared to 197 cases filed in 2019 out of which 163 were disposed of.

Kitwe High Court Judge Maria Kawimbe observed a reduction of aggravated robbery, murder and deaths caused by dangerous driving in 2020.

“Statistics from the high court operations show that in 2020 a total of 167 criminal cases were filed in the Solwezi high court out of which 135 were disposed of. This is compared to 2019 when there were 197 filings out of which 167 cases were disposed of,” she stated.

“It was observed that there was a reduction of cases in the offences of aggravated robbery, murder and causing death by dangerous driving,” Justice Kawimbe said.

Justice Kawimbe could not, however, state what led to the reduction but was quick to mention that collective efforts from stakeholders in fighting crime could be registering some reward.

She was speaking in Solwezi yesterday during the 2021 ceremonial opening of the High Court criminal session.

She however, noted with sadness that despite the slight decrease in other criminal cases, gender based violence offences such as defilement, indecent assault and rape cases have continued to rise.

“It is disheartening to note that gender based violence offences continue to rise and are largely committed in the home and family environment among persons who are closely related or known to the victims,” Justice Kawimbe said.

Speaking at the same event, Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary Willies Mangimela pledged government’s support to institutions in the justice system to ensure justice is delivered to all who need it.