By GABRIEL FITO
PUBLIC counters at the two district court houses in Wewak have been closed while the district court staff is staying a sit-in protest to show their disappointment over a recent break-in at one of the court houses.
Senior provincial magistrate Jeremiah Singomat could not be reached for comments yesterday but the Court Clerk Scholar Mapat told The National from her court house office in Wewak, that work was continuing as normal.
She said the counters were locked to the public to show that they did not tolerate such criminal acts.
Ms Mapat said the incident occurred at the Dagua District Court House during the early hours of Wednesday morning.
She said thieves broke into the court house and stole a computer, an electronic typewriter, a floor fan and a national court recording equipment with three microphone stands.
The cost of the stolen equipment could not be ascertained but court officials said it could be well over K7,000.
Ms Mapat said following the incident, they were advised by the principal magistrate to close the door until those responsible are brought to justice.
She said this was to show why a vital service could become a target for criminal activities.
Wewak police when contacted yesterday said they were investigating.