4 March 2008
Maputo — Mozambican Justice Minister Esperanca Machavela on Tuesday expressed optimism that the country can overcome its chronic shortage of magistrates, because several universities are now offering law courses, and many of the law graduate are showing an interest in following a career as judges.
Speaking in the southern city of Matola, at the opening of the academic year of the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (CFJJ) she stressed that this institution should be used to the full to train the staff required by the country's justice system.
But Machavela warned that the challenge of increasing the number of magistrates should not lead to any neglect in the quality of their training.
The start of the academic year coincided with the start of the eighth magistrates' initial training course. 45 students who have completed their law degrees are entering this eight month long course, after which they will follow careers as either judges or prosecutors. In 2007, the CFJJ provided initial training for 76 people about to start a career in the judiciary or in the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Addressing the ceremony, Attorney-General Augusto Paulino urged the trainees to comply with their duties, and to beware of falling into "improper practices that in no way bring dignity to the function of a magistrate".
Apart from judges and prosecutors, the CFJJ also trains auditors, public notaries, registrars, prison managers, and paralegal staff.
Mz/pf (240)
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