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The
southern zone comprises Lusaka, Livingstone and Chipata and below is the
statistical breakdown of cases received from these centres in the year 2001.
Statistical
breakdown of cases
 Chipata
Legal Advice Centre
The
Chipata legal advice centre was one of the centres established in the year
under review, principally to service the people of Eastern province. A total
of 811 cases were attended to, out of which 28 cases were passed on to the
lawyer for litigation in court. The centre also engaged in outreach
programmes in the area and to a large extent utilised Radio Maria - a
Catholic owned Radio Station in the province to disseminate information about
the centre and generally to discuss the law and human rights issues.
Livingstone
Legal Advice Centre
The
centre in its second year of being operational recorded an impressive turnout
of clients. Although the centre is sited at the provincial headquarters of
the Southern province, it is geographically the Southern-most town in the
area along the line of rail. As such, clients from other towns in the
province such as Mazabuka prefer to take their cases to Lusaka because of its
proximity.
 The
centre during the year received 1706 legal advice seekers. The lawyer at the
Livingstone office commenced litigation in 65 cases. The centre was
constantly engulfed in conflict with the police who perceived the Foundation
as being supportive of criminal elements because of its staff's spirited
pursuit of police officers involved in battering and torturing suspects.
The
prison tours progressed well with most suspects in petty offences assisted to
obtain bail or police bond. Equally, a fair number of cases of suspects
incarcerated at police stations for prolonged periods without trial were
dealt with.
Further,
LRF staff at the centre, in collaboration with other NGOs existing in the
area conducted outreach programmes around the communities through the Church
and schools.
In
out of court settlements the centre managed to secure payments in various
cases that the Chambers intervened on behalf of its clients from individuals
and companies.
Lusaka
Legal Advice Centres
 Lusaka,
a vast and populous city with the dual status of a capital and province, is
home to some 7 community based advice centres of the Legal Resources
Foundation. These are located in Chaisa, Chawama, Chilenje, Matero, Mtendere,
Kanyama and Kaunda Square. The centres are accessed by the residents of these
areas, as well as by neighbouring communities. Cases emanating from the
centres are passed on to lawyers based at the chambers for various legal
action.
During
the year under review 12,884 cases were recorded at the nine centres out of
which 632 were referred to lawyers by the paralegals, of which some 291 were
taken to court. A further 126 cases were referred directly to the LRF main
office by NGOs, the Human Rights Commission, and other agencies. Legal
redress was appropriate in cases of gross violations and these were litigated
in court. Up to around 40% of the case referred to the Chambers were settled
out of court through mediation and negotiation while others cases are still
pending.
A
significant bulk of cases came from the prison visitation programme and
referrals from other organisations of which some deserving cases were
channelled to lawyers for litigation. Overall the most accessed centre both
in the zone and nation-wide was Kaunda Square with a record of 1983 cases
followed by Chawama with 1793, Kanyama with 1480, Matero with 1398, Mtendere
with 1221, Chaisa with 1215 and Chilenje with 880 cases.
Consolidated
Summary of Cases Handled
The
Foundation throughout its seven provincial centres combined handled a total
of 16 737 cases during the year 2001. The most prominent complaints of the
cases received were labour related at 3 603 cases. Matrimonial cases handled
numbered 1777, while 1205 maintenance cases were dealt with. There were 1143
Terminal benefits claims, and 1141 cases of non-employment Breach of
Contract. Miscellaneous consultations numbered 1118, whereas intestate
succession cases were 1 101. For the rest see (the statistical breakdown
below).
Among
the total number of cases recorded 12 540 were competently resolved by
paralegals, lawyers received 630 cases while 1486 remained pending. Others
cases were referred as follows; High Court; 50, Industrial Relations Court;
80, Magistrate Courts; 260 and Local Courts 609 cases. Other Government
agencies received 418 referrals, local government authorities 68, churches
121, legal practitioners 76, while the Police Victim Support Unit had 355
cases referred to them, Hospital and Clinics 24, no case or prescribed 22.
Overall
statistical breakdown of nature of cases
Overall
Centres attendance intake
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