Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on the justice sector to prioritise access to justice at grassroots level, despite resource constraints and other challenges facing the sector.
“Within our limited resources and other barriers, attention should be given to access to justice at the grassroots level. In carrying out your duties, one must always remember the accepted reality that justice delayed is justice denied. That this is an act that demands a renewed sense of urgency to deliver justice to all citizens,” the President said.
She made these remarks at the State of Justice Summit, convened by the Ministry of Justice and Labour under the theme, “Strengthening Justice in Namibia: Building an Efficient, Accessible and Trusted Justice Sector”. According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, the summit provides an important platform for institutions within the criminal justice sector to assess the performance of the justice system and identify areas requiring improvement.
“We must therefore ask ourselves an honest question as to what extent this sector is delivering on our constitutional promises. The public expects equitable access to justice, timely service and institutions that act with integrity. People expect a prompt and efficient response when they seek legal assistance, protection or the enforcement of their rights. The lived experiences of ordinary Namibians must remain central to our discussions and interventions as we seek to improve service delivery across the justice sector,” she continued.
The President further underscored the importance of safeguarding Namibia’s independent judiciary and constitutional order against both existing and emerging threats. She stressed that integrity and accountability must remain non-negotiable, while corruption should not be tolerated in any form.
“I have always maintained that corruption has no place in our country. A lack of integrity can contribute to the loss of precious lives and create insecurity for many Namibians working in the criminal justice sector. We must therefore confront corruption with the utmost seriousness and refuse to tolerate it in any form,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She also emphasised that justice cannot be viewed in isolation, as shortcomings in one part of the justice system can undermine public confidence in the sector as a whole.
“Justice is expressed through constitutions, laws and institutions. Therefore, true justice must be felt in everyday life. Justice is done when a person is heard, when a right is protected, when a dispute is resolved fairly and when the law treats the powerful and the powerless alike. The theme of this Summit is also fully aligned with our national commitment under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) to ensure equitable access to justice and uphold the rule of law,” the President added.
Photo: Namibian Presidency.
