BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi has raised concerns over the delay in police investigations which are leading to an increase in pending court cases.
Taeburi voiced this yesterday when prosecution admitted that they were still waiting for investigators to complete their task before the court could be updated on the status of a case.
This is the case against accused, Leslie Manekesa, who faces counts of grievous harm and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Taeburi says Manekesa has been in custody for four months, which she believes to be ample time enough for police to have completed their investigations.
She reminds the prosecutor that police have vehicles which should be used to attain statements from witnesses, rather than using the vehicles to roam around wasting government fuel.
Taeburi also encourages prosecution to harry investigators when they are perceived to be slow; report them to their in-charge or write to the Director of the national investigation division and even to the police commissioner.
“Tell their superiors so that they knew that their officers are not doing anything,” Taeburi urges.
She said prosecution cannot just charge and remand people in custody without dealing with their cases – accused persons are human beings and should be treated fairly.
She then adjourned the case for November 24 for mention and possible oral pre-trial conference.
The offence is alleged to have taken place in the Bonege area, west of Honiara.
