GOVERNMENT plans to set up four new district offices to provide free legal representation to those who cannot afford such services as part of efforts to enhance access to justice for the less-privileged.
The Legal Aid Directorate (LAD) — a department under the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs — is presently working towards establishing new offices in Beitbridge, Kariba, Karoi and Mt Darwin by year-end.
Legal aid refers to the provision of legal services and representation in court or in an administrative trial to persons who are unable to pay for a lawyer.
Previously, LAD offices were only available in provincial capitals, with new stations having been opened in Chivhu, Gokwe, Chiredzi and Chipinge.
LAD director Mr John Nyangombe said: “We are working on making sure that where there is a magistrates’ court, legal aid directorate offices are also there.
“As the Judicial Service Commission is decentralising its courts, as LAD, we are working behind them in decentralising legal aid and also building offices and accommodation for the law officers working under the Legal Aid Directorate.”
Section 70 (1) (e) of the Constitution states: “Any person accused of an offence has the following rights — to be represented by a legal practitioner assigned by the State and at the State expense, if substantial injustice would otherwise result.”
The State provides legal representation for both criminal and civil cases, as well as any quasi-judicial tribunals.
Legal advice provided is for labour disputes, matrimony cases, deceased estates, general civil matters and criminal issues, among others.
“Free legal aid is very important to the Zimbabwean people as the act is meant to enable the Legal Aid Directorate to provide legal help to people, even those who are not Zimbabweans but resident in the country.
“We had planned that each year, we must establish three district offices, in line with Vision 2030,” added Mr Nyangombe.
“At the end of implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1), 15 district offices should be completed.
“An additional 15 other district offices will be set up during the NDS 2 cycle, bringing the total to 30.”
In South Africa, the Legal Aid Department provides state-funded lawyers to anyone who earns less than R5 500 per month after tax, while in criminal cases, children automatically qualify for legal aid. – Sunday Mail
