Introduce CCTV systems in courtrooms

EDITOR — May the Government of Zimbabwe introduce CCTV systems in all courtrooms across the country. By doing so, this will help reduce crimes and corruption.

Although the magistrates write statements from both the plaintiff and the defendant, cameras will also help in recording the actual event and exact words spoken by the parties involved.

Moreover, for those whose Shona language is interpreted, at times the appropriate word is not used. Our court interpreters need to acquire what I term, “command of language”.

I have attended many court cases and I have realised that poor people lose their cases because of fear.

The atmosphere in out courtrooms is intimidating to the extent eroding confidence in witnesses and defendants. Magistrates tend to listen carefully to lawyers than to individuals who are not represented.

In schools, the new curriculum was introduced, why can not the same be done to the constitution of the country?

The Constitution can be introduced in schools as part of subjects like History or Heritage Studies. In court, ignorance is not a defence. You cannot argue that ‘I do not know” as a defence and expect to win. Never.

The knowledge gap can be reduced if Zimbabweans familiarise with the supreme law from primary to tertiary level.

The constitution should not be a preserve of lawyers. We have a right to learn it and schools and college of the best platforms.

Every person must be compelled to know the law that govern them.

This will also help in curbing crimes. On another note, may the responsible authority construct a public toilet at the civil court; I am frequent visitor there and an announcement is always made every that there is no toilet at that “big “Government premises, where people from all walks of life come seeking various services.

If in South Africa they now consider it a human right abuse for people to use Blair toilets, what of a place of justices in a new dispensation Zimbabwe?

Thank you.

AK Honde Valley.