By Khumbo Kaliwo:
Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda has bemoaned cases of human trafficking, describing Malawi as the weakest link in the Trafficking In Persons (TIP) fight.
Mzikamanda said this in Lilongwe on Monday during a Validation Workshop of Trafficking in Persons Sentencing Guidelines.
The Judiciary head said cases of TIP are sophisticated, such that they continue to rise.
He said this justifies the need for the justice system to respond to the issue.
“The Trafficking in Persons Act Sentencing Guidelines will give guidance on factors [that] judges and magistrates should take into account as they affect TIP sentences,” Mzikamanda said.
Mzikamanda then stressed the need to scrutinise and interrogate the proposed sentences before validating them.
On his part, High Court Judge Joseph Chigona said the Judiciary has a pivotal role to play in dealing with issues of trafficking.
“Only meaningful sentences will deter perpetrators and we do believe that, at the end of the process, we should deal with the problem of delays in prosecuting these cases in our courts,” Chigona said
Taking his turn, Principal Secretary for Homeland Security Steven Kayuni said in order to effectively combat and prevent human trafficking, there is a need to embrace a holistic approach.
He added that the guidelines would enhance efforts aimed at addressing the problem.
“We need guidelines so that proper sentences [can be meted out on suspects] and we hope that this will improve efficiency, in terms of justice delivery in the country,” Kayuni said
Meanwhile, Director for the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi Mandinda Zungu has said they have partnered Plan International and the United States Department of State in consolidating and initiating the process of developing the guidelines.
“Based on emerging issues, they [guidelines] are going to be reviewed periodically to ensure that they are responding to what is actually on the ground,” Mandinda said.
