The reluctance of people to testify is one of the reasons for the huge backlog in cases before the courts, according to the Minister of Justice, Human Rights, Law and Constitutional Affairs, Mr. Refiloe Masemene.

Speaking during discussions on his ministerial budget in the National Assembly March 4, Mr. Masemene said his Ministry is doing its utmost to reduce the backlog and promised that special court sessions would be organised throughout the country where cases would be heard to try and reduce the backlog.

The Ministry intended to review laws on marriage and research in this regard be carried out. Workshops and public meetings will be held to solicit inputs, as well as study tours to share experiences with other countries.

About M37.5 million has been raised in fines from the bribery cases in the Lesotho Highlands
Water Project: Acres International was fined M15 million, Lahmeyer International charged M12 million, Spie Bagtinolles fined M10 million and M500 000 for M. Du plooy.

04 March 2005