Windhoek: Chief Justice Peter Shivute has called for greater coordination among Namibia's justice institutions, emphasizing that case backlogs, delays, and resource constraints cannot be effectively addressed by institutions working in isolation. Shivute made these remarks during the opening of the State of Justice Conference in Windhoek, highlighting that the challenges faced by the justice sector are of national consequence and require attention at the highest levels.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the conference is convened under the patronage of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and gathers stakeholders from across the justice sector to discuss challenges affecting the administration of justice. The conference is expected to conclude on Friday. Shivute pointed out that while the various institutions involved in the administration of justice have distinct constitutional and statutory mandates, their work is closely interconnected.

Shivute likened the justice system to a chain, noting that its effectiveness hinges not only on the strength of individual institutions but also on the connections between them. He stated that delays in investigation could affect prosecution and adjudication, and delays in the courts could have consequences for accused persons, victims, and correctional facilities. He also noted that resource and capacity constraints in one institution could place pressure on other parts of the justice system.

According to the chief justice, the public generally does not distinguish between the different institutions responsible for the administration of justice when the system fails to function effectively, perceiving only a single justice system. Shivute warned that slow justice results in a loss of public confidence shared across the entire sector. He stressed that increased cooperation should not blur constitutional boundaries or undermine the independence and mandates of individual institutions.

Shivute emphasized that effective collaboration must respect the constitutional and statutory mandates of each institution. He welcomed the conference's focus on implementation and follow-up, cautioning that recommendations often lose momentum after stakeholder meetings conclude. He highlighted the importance of producing actionable resolutions with clearly defined responsibilities and timelines.

Additionally, Shivute endorsed a proposed mechanism to monitor implementation and report progress to the president, stating that this would ensure the conference marks the beginning of an ongoing process rather than being a one-time event. He affirmed that the judiciary is ready to participate constructively and implement measures within its constitutional mandate.