Mogish: We must know law

LAW and order is not a state problem but a community one, a judge said.
Justice Panuel Mogish said communities must understand that law and order problems existed in communities and should be effectively addressed at that level with the assistance of state institutions.
 “We have a public responsibility to ensure that we live in a safe and secure society,” he said.
Mogish was speaking at the recently opened Kwikila  courthouse in Rigo, Central province on Monday during a court users forum.
“For far too long, the community has relied on formal organised institutions like police, correctional services and prosecutor’s office to fight crime without much support and success.
“This attitude must now change. There must be a paradigm shift in the way we approach issues or otherwise it would be like watching a sinking ship,” he said.
He also urged the community to look after the court facilities to ensure court hearings were held to solve issues in the community.
The Kwikila National Court was opened in 1993 by the first local chief justice Sir Buri Kidu. But court sittings were never held until last week.
Two criminal cases were heard by Mogish.
A parade was held by the disciplined forces to mark the re-opening of the court facility.