Court faces shortage of magistrates

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
THERE is a shortage of magistrates in the Waigani Committal Court to deal with cases, thus, some rulings on cases may be delayed, a magistrate says.
Magistrate Tracy Ganaii yesterday said there were only two magistrates dealing with committal matters in Waigani because those who had left had not been replaced.
“Magistrate (Paul) Nii is not on the bench; Magistrate (Dessie) Magaru is on leave; it’s only me and Magistrate (Garry) Unjo,” she said.
“We don’t have replacement magistrates yet.
“Magistrate Rebecca Kwayaila has been transferred to Alotau.
“Magistrate (Seth) Tanei will be leaving for Boroko (District Court).
“Because of that, the two of us are taking the bulk of the cases.”
Magistrate Ganaii said because of that, she would release all the rulings matters from last year “so that we are all aware of dates”.
“I may spread them out at least up to the next three months or so for me to work on them,” she said.
“When I’m ready with the list of rulings listed for February, I will list them on a particular date on the listings.
“So on the dates they are listed in Feb, the defendants can come.
“In that way, I can continue to sit fulltime with my committal list and mention list.”
Magistrate Ganaii told the court that she had more than 20 pending rulings and that she would give priority to custody cases.
Police Prosecutor Sgt Joseph Sangam and lawyer David Kayok agreed with her. Kayok said the court should list dates that would be convenient to the court.