Magistrates’ housing in Minz to be solved

THE Magisterial Service is hopeful of solving accommodation issues for its magistrates in Minz soon so court services are not disrupted.
Last week, senior magistrate Frank Manue closed the Minz District Court in Jiwaka, following a misunderstanding over accommodation issues with the provincial administration. Chief Magistrate Nerrie Eliakim has since intervened and the court facilities were opened on Wednesday afternoon after being closed for almost two weeks.
“The misunderstanding arose from the housing requirements for the second magistrate whom we recently posted to Minz,” Eliakim said. She said it was an issue between the Magisterial Service and the provincial government which could be addressed through continued dialogue and cooperation.
“The Magisterial Services must maintain our court services to our people of Minz and Jiwaka as a whole.”
Eliakim said the second magistrate, Donald Joseph, appointed last month, was from Minz and currently resided in his nearby village. He commuted to Minz daily to attend to his duties.
Eliakim was in Minz last month with Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and raised the housing matter with  provincial administrator Michael Wandil.