The Office of the Public Protector Zambia (OPPZ) Copperbelt Regional office, recently conducted sensitization meetings with Copperbelt Paralegals to enlighten them about the OPPZ’s mandate.
The workshops were facilitated by Kitwe District Land Alliance (KDLA) through a pilot project funded by GiZ and were held at Nsanika and Penmall Lodges in Ndola and Kitwe respectively.
Addressing the participants, the OPPZ Copperbelt Provincial Coordinator, Mr. James Banda underscored the critical role paralegals play in ensuring communities access justice.
Mr. Banda who was accompanied by Mr Peter Lungu implored the paralegals to encourage the public in their catchment areas to use the services of the OPPZ when faced with administrative injustices rather than resorting to the Courts of Law which is costly for the affected individuals who are mostly vulnerable.
He assured the participants of the OPPZ’s commitment to working with different stakeholders including community-based stakeholders to deliver social and administrative justice as outlined in its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
The training in the two towns attracted over Fifty (50) Paralegals drawn from Lufwanyama, Kalulushi, Mufulira, Chingola, Chililabombwe, and Kitwe. Others included paralegals from Ndola, Mpongwe, Masaiti, and Luanshya.