CHREAA donates, launches toll free line

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR
Centre for Human Rights, Education, Assistance and Advice (CHREAA) in on Tuesday donated and launched an MTL toll free line facilities to the Child Justice Court in Blantyre, which authorities say will facilitate easy access to justice for women and juveniles.

Magistrate Esmie Tembenu of the Blantyre Child Justice Court said at the launch that the facility will reduce the distance prosecutors and court officials used to travel in following up the backgrounds of the children and women found in conflict with the law.

The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code (CPEC) regarding juvenile justice demands that courts and the police make proper investigations into the cases they receive and compile conclusive reports, which guide the courts on the next course of action.

But in the absence of the required resources, the courts faced challenges in investigating into the cases they received and compile conclusive reports.

But by dialing 8000333 now, members of the public will now be able to communicate with and secure the services of paralegal officers to represent juveniles. After topping up with MTL recharge cards, the police and court officials will be able to trace and call parents or guardians of the juveniles.

“The law provides that we can’t go ahead with cases involving a child in the absence of his or her guardian or parent. However, the most common problem we used to face was that most of the child offenders were coming from places far away.

"In such a situation, it was not easy for us to get the right information regarding their behavior and how the crime was committed. In such a situation, we had no choice, but to travel to their communities to establish their background details before we compile a social report that guides the action to be taken,” Tembenu explained.

She further stated that without mobility, they were failing to do reach out to as many children and women victims or offenders of the law.

Soche Police Sub-Station Officer-In-Charge Senior Superintendent Maurice Makwinja said the line will help the police service in saving financial resources as they will no longer have to travel long distances.

“It will make our job simpler because we’ll be able to communicate with relevant authorities such as paralegal officers in good time using this phone facility,” Makwinja said.

In his remarks, CHREAA executive director Victor Mhango said the initiative was designed to help the law enforcing arms to accord women and children offenders speedy trials in consistence with Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC).

“With this toll free line, the police and the courts will now be able to screen the juveniles in conflict with the law at anytime of the day. This will also help in protecting the image of the police who have, for a long time, come under public criticism for failing to accord children speedy trial processes,” said Mhango.

Soche, Chilomoni, Chilobwe, Limbe, Ndirande and South Lunzu Police are some of the stations that have benefitted from the facility.

CHREAA also donated one mobile MTL line to Soche Child Justice Court.
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