Legislators are pushing for a law that requires chiefs to have at least basic legal training to enable them to have a better understanding of human rights issues.
This was revealed by MDC Alliance MP Job Sikhala at a Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZHLR) workshop with the portfolio committee on Legal and Parliament Affairs and the thematic committee on Human Rights on the Justice delivery system in Zimbabwe. Said Sikhala:
Chiefs are part of our justice system because they sit at the lowest level of our local courts.
It is therefore wise that every appointed chief should go for a six-month paralegal training so that when they are deciding over their cases they have a clear understanding of the human rights issues.
In Terms of the law in the local courts which are led by the chiefs and Headmen, lawyers are not allowed to appear in those courts hence it is important that chiefs are trained so as to avoid violation of Human rights.