Ntcheu Senior Resident Magistrate, Yohane Munthali, told Zodiak Online in Ntcheu that so far, the district has four magistrates only against 13 courts only five of which are operational.

According to Munthali, this has resulted the district have a back log of cases waiting to be completed thereby contributing to congestion at Ntcheu Prison.

“Being only senior resident magistrate, all criminal cases are heard through my chamber. This affects timely delivery of justice,” he said.

Munthali was speaking at Ntcheu Prison during activities marking part of commemorations of International Human Rights Day which officially falls on December 10.

Irish Rule of Law in Malawi Programme Lawyer, Andrea Vizsolyi said the development is worrisome as it contravenes the interest of justice.

“Government need to address the gap by employing more people saying current situation is denying people access to justice,” she said.

Ntcheu Prison Officer-in-Charge, Lawrence Kachitsotso, says the facility strives to adhere to dictations of human rights as stipulated in the Malawi Constitution.