By ALICE NACILEMBA
The Paralegal Alliance Network (PAN) welcomes the proposed reforms by President Hakainde Hichilema to the administration of criminal justice in Zambia.
PAN National Coordinator Phillip Sabuni said during the appointment of new security and defence Chiefs the President urged the new police chief to reform the command structure and ensure that police bond must not be denied whenever requirements are satisfied.
Mr Sabuni said PAN welcomes these pronouncements by the President and call on the government not only to do what the President has said but to even change the system.
He said the reviews of inmates held during the President’s pleasure (HEPs) should be done regularly and consistently as prescribed by law.
Mr Sabuni said those on medication and are held in correctional facilities should receive medication regularly as and whenever they need it.
He has appealed to the Government to put measures in place to enable the court adjudicators to use community service sentencing which is currently being avoided due to inadequate man power for supervision.
Mr Sabuni also said that the new government should prioritize the implementation of the legal aid policy and the Legal Aid Act so that access to justice can be enhanced through the recognition and roll out of the work of paralegals.
