Prosecutors, cops pay for witnesses’ transport
MBABANE - As the country continues to experience fiscal challenges; prosecutors and police investigating officers provide transport and lunch for State witnesses from their own pockets.
This is if they want the cases to continue in courts. The shocking revelation transpired during an ongoing trial of Celucolo Dlamini, who is accused of raping a 12-year-old pupil around Lobamba.
Nomkhosi Dlamini, who is representing the Crown in the matter, told the court that she would have a challenge in calling more than one witness, as she had to provide them with transport and lunch from her own pocket. Dlamini told the court that for now, she was only able to call one witness at a time depending on the distance, as some of them came from far places.
Witnesses
She stated that one of the State witnesses had to travel from Hlatikhulu to Mbabane.
Dlamini said this after Acting Mbabane Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi had asked her why she opted to call one witness for the return date.
Recently, the State had been providing transport and lunch for witnesses whenever they were attending court to testify. At times, police officers assisted submitted that police had been engaged, however, they couldn’t help, citing cars and fuel shortage. Asked if the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was aware of the matter, Dlamini responded that the issue had been discussed in several meetings with the DPP.
“This is a cause for concern and this matter has to be attended on urgently. This is one of the things that cause a backlog of cases,” observed Nhlabatsi.
Confirmed
In an interview, the DPP, Phila Dlamini, confirmed knowledge of the challenges faced by the prosecutors. He stated that the challenge was experienced countrywide. The DPP stated that the hardship was not only experienced by the prosecutors but also the police investigating officers who led the investigations.
“Kona batfwele kakhulu,” said the DPP, meaning the prosecutors and the police officers, had a huge challenge.
He mentioned that he had been made to understand that there was no money during engagements with the relevant authorities.
However, he stated that he was hoping that the relevant authorities would provide a solution to the matter.