adminTanaka Mahanya
Access to Justice Centre, operating under the Faculty of Law at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), is providing free services to individuals who cannot afford legal representation.
The centre offers assistance in all legal matters, including criminal and civil cases, with the aim of promoting the right to legal representation.
The centre has partnered organisations, such as UNICEF, and those focusing on sexual and reproductive health to protect vulnerable individuals in society.
Access to Justice Centre also responds rapidly to cases of sexual abuse and provides funding for mental evaluations to expedite legal processes.
In an interview, Access to Justice Centre legal practitioner, Memory Makuyana, said they offer free legal services because private law firms are expensive.
“It is our hope that we can also assist those who are employed, but can’t afford a lawyer,” said Makuyana.
She said there were many cases of sexual abuse and they offered assistance so that the processes could be done faster.
“Two weeks ago, we assisted nine mentally challenged victims in Nyanga who had been sexually abused.
“They were failing to bring them for examinations here in Harare, so we chipped in and partnered with the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) and were able to fund their mental evaluations.
“Three of the cases now have court dates,” she said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter