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Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Fahad Assani has said that the hunger that hit Malawi has contributed significantly to an increase in homicide cases in the country.
Assani said that his office is yet to tackle a backlog of over 2000 murder cases which have occurred from the year 2000 mostly due to hunger, on top of the 253 cases that remained from the period between 1991 and 1999.
“We managed to clear the backlog of 1991-1999 cases from 1685 to 253 some six weeks ago. But then, cases between 2000 and now, which we have not yet tackled, are over 2000,” said Assani.
He said the hunger situation which affected the country for almost two years contributed to the increase in homicide cases as a number of killings occurred in people’s gardens.
“The information I have is that most people were killed after being found stealing in other people’s gardens,” said Assani.
He said a meeting held recently involving the Chief Justice, the Malawi Law Society and his office devised ways speeding up trails of the cases with funding from both government and donors through the Malawi Access to Safety Security and Justice (Massaj)
He said that between June and July the focus will be on suspects who are terminally ill and those on charges of manslaughter who plead guilty.
“For those who are terminally ill, the legal aid lawyers will facilitate their bail so that they can receive medical attention while outside the prison, or if they are to die they must die honourably,” said Assani.
“As for those who plead guilty for manslaughter, we will not spend much time on them as it will just be a question of sentencing them,” he said.
Between August and September, Assani said, the attention will be given to those answering murder charges.
“During this time 14 judges will be sitting everyday and private lawyers have agreed to assist state advocates and legal aid lawyers to prosecute and defend the matters,” said Assani.
He said the private lawyers, who have dedicated 30 hours in a year to the exercise, will operate on a pro bono basis (without making financial gains).
“They will not receive any professional fees. They will just be funded for their transportation, accommodation and food,” he said.
He said he is currently conducting an audit in the prisons to come up with the actual numbers of suspects that must be enlisted and classified for court appearance.
“When I am through a budget will be drawn and presented to both government and donors for funding,” said Assani, assuring that funding is available at Massaj but just waiting to be exploited.
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