Reported by: S. Ernest.
Date: 7th January, 2025.
Mongu, Western Province.
The Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, the Right Honourable Ms. Nelly B. K. Mutti, SC, MP, has voiced concern over the increasing prevalence of crimes committed by children in Zambia.
She called on parents to take greater responsibility in instilling moral values in their children to curb this alarming trend.
Speaking at the ceremonial opening of the criminal session for the High Court in Mongu, Western Province, Speaker Mutti emphasized the need to urgently reform the legal framework addressing child offenders.
She highlighted efforts to amend the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022 to better equip justice stakeholders in addressing child-related criminal issues.
“The National Assembly will ensure the timely enactment of proposed amendments once presented by the Executive,” she assured, signaling a commitment to prioritizing reforms that enhance child justice.
Speaker Mutti also expressed concern about the backlog of court cases, which continues to strain the criminal justice system. She noted that delays in trials disproportionately affect vulnerable individuals, undermining the principles of justice and fairness.
“Despite the commendable efforts of our judges and court staff, the backlog of cases is a significant challenge. Accused persons, including vulnerable individuals, endure prolonged periods in custody, often without bail or trial. This erodes public confidence in the justice system,” she said.
To address these challenges, she called for stronger collaboration among all justice stakeholders, including judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders.
In a call for judicial transparency, Speaker Mutti encouraged the Judiciary to allow media coverage of cases of public interest. She emphasized that involving the “fourth estate” could foster greater transparency and accountability in the justice system.
“My Lord, I take this opportunity to challenge the Judiciary. As you embark on reforms, consider allowing media coverage of certain cases. This will enhance transparency and build public trust in the dispensation of justice,” she added.
Earlier, His Lordship Hon. Mr. Justice Mbuzi, in charge of Western Province, echoed concerns about child crime. He pointed out inadequacies in the current laws dealing with child offenders, stating that they often fail to address the severity of some crimes.
“For instance, regardless of the number of people a child offender may have killed, the law mandates their placement in a reformatory school. Upon turning 18, they are released shortly after. This renders the law ineffective in addressing such cases,” Justice Mbuzi explained.
He urged for the swift transformation of proposed legal reforms into enforceable laws.
Despite these challenges, Justice Mbuzi reported notable progress in the province, achieving a 90% disposal rate of criminal cases in line with Judiciary policy.
He attributed this success to the collaborative efforts of stakeholders, including the Legal Aid Board, the National Prosecution Authority, and private law firms.
The session underscored the critical need for legal reforms, stakeholder collaboration, and judicial transparency to address Zambia’s criminal justice challenges effectively.
National Assembly of Zambia
Speaker Nelly B. K. Mutti
The Agency
