‘African judiciaries can rise to the occasion’
AFRICA has the capacity to come up with solutions to problems affecting judiciaries in Africa without having to continue relying on Western countries, Southern African Judicial Administrators Association (SAJAA) chairperson Mrs Rolanda van Wyk has said.
Mrs van Wyk, who is permanent secretary of the Namibian judiciary, was speaking soon after meeting Chief Justice Luke Malaba in his chambers yesterday after which she and the SAJAA executive committee went into a meeting to craft a blueprint for African judicial administration.
She said Africa was rich in the requisite skills and that there was need to develop them to provide solutions to problems affecting courts continentally.
“We feel we have enough skills and expertise on the continent and we should start developing the skills locally and come up with a blueprint for African judicial administrators that is responsive to our unique judiciaries.
“There is no longer any need to go to the big brothers out there in the Western countries for solutions. We can do it ourselves as Africans,” said Mrs van Wyk.
Chief Justice Malaba hailed judicial administrators for the important role they played in adequately providing for the courts.
“We, as Chief Justices, appreciate the vital role which your association plays.
“It is an institution that plays an integral part in the development and efficiency of the administration of justice.
“There is no way we can achieve the administration of justice without members of SAJAA,” he said.
The judiciary boss pledged support for SAJAA activities.
“We, as Zimbabwe, are fully behind you. Whenever you need our assistance, we are there for you,” said the Chief Justice.
The meeting discussed formulation of a code of ethics for judicial administrators, systematic training programmes for administrators, among others.
SAJAA was formed mid last year in Namibia and a number of countries are part of it.
The members are: Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe.
It supports court systems on the continent. SAJAA aims to provide standard training for administrators of the judiciaries in Africa to ensure quality of justice in all the countries.
Judicial Service Commission (Zimbabwe) acting secretary Mr Walter Chikwana is deputy chairperson for SAJAA.
The foreign delegation flew into the country on Thursday and leaves for their respective countries tomorrow.