Justice must be felt in everyday life for all citizens regardless of their social standing. These were the sentiments of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the opening of the first State of Justice Conference in Windhoek.
Dr Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that public confidence is often undermined by a lack of understanding regarding how different legal institutions interconnect.
Therefore, the President stressed that discussions must be guided by reliable data to identify specific gaps and implement solutions effectively, underscoring that Namibia's justice system is founded on democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental rights as outlined in the Constitution.
"The experiences of ordinary Namibians must remain central to our discussions and interventions as we strive to enhance service delivery across the justice sector, despite our limited resources and the various barriers previously highlighted by other speakers. It is essential to focus on access to justice at the grassroots level, as that is where the majority of our population resides. In fulfilling your responsibilities, one must consistently acknowledge and accept this reality. It is crucial to recognise the truth in the saying, 'Justice delayed is justice denied.'"
She urged lawyers to act with honesty, treating their responsibilities with the same gravity as medical professionals saving lives.
Further calling for integrity and accountability to remain non-negotiable.
"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."
Institutions, the Head of State said, must move away from isolation and toward coordinated teamwork while exploring the use of alternative dispute resolution methods, such as round-table discussions, to resolve misunderstandings more quickly than traditional court proceedings.
"I have learned that now there are different methods of dealing with cases in order to speed up the process, and I'm sure the Chief Justice in the process might be helpful instead of waiting for courts. There is now a question of coming together just to try to understand those small differences, and then in a round table, a case that can be in court for years can be resolved because sometimes it's just small misunderstanding which needs to be explained, and when it's being explained in front of institutions that are responsible, both the accused and the victims might find an amicable solution on time."
President Nandi-Ndaitwah further stressed that decisions made during the conference must result in implementation and effective service delivery years after the conference.