Traditional leaders in Malawi’s northern district of Mzimba will now have a chance to undertake a training in primary justice following the disbursement of 2.3 million kwacha by the UK’s Department for International Development.

The chiefs to benefit from the donation include traditional authorities Chindi, Jaravikuba, Mpherembe and Mtwalo, and some group and village tribunals under the T/As.

Mzimba North Primary Justice Programme Coordinator Felix Manda told members of the Primary Justice District Steering Committee that it is Malawi Government’s wish to ensure that justice is done at all levels of the society.

Manda said the country, including Mzimba North, has several issues like land disputes, property grabbing, leadership wrangles and witchcraft, which he said are enemies of natural justice.

“Handling cases such as leadership wrangles, land disputes and property grabbing through the tribunals can reduce conflicts which cause injuries, loss of life and property damage,” he said.

Manda added that since the introduction of the primary justice in 2008 and tribunals in 2012, they have helped to reduce the number of cases referred to formal courts.

He then appealed to the steering committee to ensure that women are included in the tribunals. He noted that women were sidelined in most activities despite being the majority of the country’s population due to cultural practices.

A representative of M’mbelwa District Commissioner Tamala Nyirongo thanked DfID for funding the programme which she said would help equip members of the tribunals with knowledge of primary justice vital for handling cases in their areas.

“In an area where there is no justice, people suffer from injustice which leads to low participation in national development,” she said.