Legal Aid will open doors to justice for the poor and marginalised- Phakama Shili
15 February 2024
Phakama Shili is a Senior Legal Aid Officer in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, championing the work of the recently established Legal Aid office in Eswatini. In our latest civil servants’ blog, Shili talks about his work in the country’s justice sector and how Legal Aid will improve the lives of the poor and marginalised.
Government Communications (GC): “When did you join the Civil Service?”
Phakama Shili (PS): “I joined the Civil Service in September 2015.”
GC: “What is your current job now and what does it entail?”
PS: “I currently serve as a Senior Legal Aid Officer in the Legal Aid Office, overseeing the Lubombo Region under the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. My role involves providing guidance and supervision to a team of legal aid officers, ensuring the efficient delivery of legal aid services and client support. I also review and assess complex legal cases, provide advice, and develop strategies to advocate for our clients' rights. Additionally, I contribute to the administration of legal aid programs, including budgeting and resource mobilization.
Policy development is another significant aspect of my role. I actively participate in the formulation and implementation of legal aid policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and continuously improving our services. Furthermore, I engage with stakeholders such as Government agencies, community organizations, and legal professionals to promote access to justice and the importance of legal aid services.”
GC: “Before this role, what other positions did you occupy in the Service?”
PS: “Before this role I worked as a Human Rights Examiner for the Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration/Integrity for 7 years. In this position I was responsible for conducting thorough investigations into reported allegations of human rights violations, corruption, injustice, and abuse of public power. These investigations aimed to gather substantial evidence and verify the claims made, ultimately ensuring that the Commission effectively fulfilled its mandate of safeguarding and upholding individuals' rights. By carrying out thorough investigations, I contributed to Government's efforts and initiatives aimed at ensuring that the people of Eswatini can fully enjoy the realization of their rights. Additionally, this process played a crucial role in providing accurate information to Government, enabling informed decision-making and appropriate actions in response to complaints.”
GC: “What is the role of the Legal Aid and how do you think it will benefit emaSwati?”
PS: “The Legal Aid Office is responsible for the coordination and provision of legal aid services in the country. Legal aid plays a pivotal role in improving the living conditions of the poor and marginalized by addressing their legal needs. With legal services often being prohibitively expensive, access to legal aid becomes essential for ensuring fair and equitable justice. By providing legal representation, legal education, alternative dispute resolution and advise, legal aid empowers individuals to navigate the complex legal system, safeguards their rights, and promotes their active participation in society. Essentially legal aid will open doors to justice for those who cannot afford the services of a lawyer.”
GC: “So far, what would you say the biggest highlight/achievement of your Civil Service journey has been?”
PS: “When reflecting on my civil service journey, it is challenging to single out one particular achievement as many of the initiatives I have worked on have contributed to improving the lives of Eswatini's citizens. However, I take great pride in being one of the initial personnel appointed to the Secretariat of the Commission on Human Rights. In this capacity, I played a pivotal role in developing and implementing systems and procedures for the management and strategic resolution of human rights violations. By establishing well-organized systems for handling complaints, I actively contributed to the effectiveness of the country's mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights.
Another notable accomplishment has been my involvement in establishing a multi-stakeholder forum for human rights actors. This forum, which I conceived and initiated, provides a platform for both Government and non-state actors to monitor and evaluate progress in the implementation of the country's human rights obligations. Since its establishment in 2022, this project has yielded significant results and serves as an essential mechanism for fostering collaboration and accountability among various stakeholders.”
GC: “What is the biggest project that you have been involved in working for Government?”
PS: “One of the most significant projects I have participated in during my tenure in the Government is the formulation of the legal aid policy, which subsequently led to the establishment of the Legal Aid office. As a member of the technical team responsible for developing this policy, I gained valuable experience in engaging stakeholders and understanding Government procedures, as well as other relevant social security systems. This enabled us to create a policy that could be effectively implemented, taking into account the broader context of legal services provision and the needs of emaSwati.”
GC: “What do you love the most about working in Government?”
PS: “Working in Government has afforded me the privilege to serve the people of Eswatini. As a civil servant, my primary responsibility is to safeguard the welfare and prosperity of emaSwati in alignment with Government policies. Within the Government context, it is crucial to adopt a proactive approach and diligently acquire the necessary knowledge and understanding to provide informed advice to superiors and effectively implement Government policies. In essence, working for Government revolves around ensuring the fulfilment of Government commitments and upholding high standards of ethical behaviour to preserve and project a positive image of the country.”
GC: “What do you love the most about your job and profession?”
PS: “The aspect I find most satisfying about my job and profession is the ability to utilize the law as a powerful instrument to enhance the well-being of our people. As a lawyer dedicated to providing legal services to those who cannot afford them, I ensure that Government prioritises the interests of the underprivileged and promotes equal access to justice for all. I firmly believe that by dismantling barriers that impede the marginalized from accessing justice, we not only contribute to their economic empowerment but also unlock opportunities across various aspects of their lives. This, in turn, fosters sustainable development for all emaSwati.”
GC: “What would you say are some of the challenges that come with your job?”
PS: “One of the inherent challenges in my job is the persistent issue of service delivery. As a developing nation, we often face resource constraints that impede our ability to provide essential services to those in greatest need. Consequently, our offices often receive criticism and discouragement regarding the effectiveness of our efforts. However, we remain resilient as Government has established robust partnerships with development partners. We approach the challenges incrementally, aiming to make progress one step at a time.”
GC: “What advice would you have for someone who wants to work for Government?”
PS: “The essence of being a civil servant lies in the noble aspiration to serve others. Working in Government offers an exceptional platform for personal growth and the opportunity to actively contribute to the national development of your country. It is a fulfilling role where you become an integral player in fostering human development. Moreover, Government provides diverse career paths, allowing individuals to explore various professional avenues and expand their skill sets. By joining the ranks of civil service, you embark on a journey of continuous learning and advancement, where you can make a meaningful impact while nurturing your own personal and professional growth.”
GC: “What are your aspirations for the future in Government?”
PS: “In the future, I want to take on a managerial role in a department where I can make a meaningful impact on the development of our people. I aim to contribute to the growth and progress of our nation through effective leadership and strategic decision-making. By utilizing my skills and expertise, my goal is to drive positive change, create opportunities, and empower individuals to reach their full potential.”
Editors’ note:
EmaSwati can contact the Eswatini Legal Aid Office here:
Headquarters: RHUS Office Park, Lower Office, Karl Grant Street, Mbabane
Telephone: 2404 4138
Social media:
Facebook: Eswatini Legal Aid
X: @EswaLegalAid
Instagram: @Eswalegalaid
--Ends—
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GOVERNEMNT OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI
Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Press Release
Integrated Electronic Case Management System
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA) has initiated the process of developing an enterprise software-based Case Management System that will enable Justice System (JS) stakeholders to effectively and efficiently manage court cases from inception to the end. Specifically, the integrated electronic case management system (IECMS) will automate the current manual JS processes and enable multiple stakeholders to collaborate and exchange information timely so as to eliminate the huge case backlog and operational inefficiencies in the JS.
This process intertwines multiple intricate sub-processes involving several stakeholders participating in numerous activities and interactions between internal and external entities over a period of time.
Stakeholders involved are;
1. Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)
2. Attorney General (AG)
3. Judiciary
4. His Majesty’s Correctional Services
5. Commission on Human Rights and public administration
6. The Royal Swaziland Police
7. Law Society
8. Anti-Corruption Commission
9. Royal Science Technology Park
10. E-Government
To ensure that the implementation of the IECMS project is seamlessly executed, two committees to drive these processes were established namely; the Steering Committee and the Technical Working Group. The Steering Committee is constituted by the Heads of Departments, Controlling Officers and Chief Executive Officers from the above listed stakeholders while the Technical Working Group is comprised of middle and lower management technicians in the field of ICT from the listed stakeholders.
After a rigorous process of tendering to identify a competent consultant to develop the IECMS, Synergy International Systems (SIS) was awarded the contract to develop this system. SIC is a software development and consulting tech company based in the Republic of Armenia and was unanimously found suitable and qualifying applicant for the development of the system. On the 17th August 2022 a meeting was convened between the Synergy International Systems and the Steering Committee Members to kick start the implementation of the IECMS project. The meeting was held at Happy Valley Hotel. SIS has successfully developed Electronic Case Management Systems in many different countries for the past 10 years including, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Guyani, Uganda, Jamaica, to mention a few.
Once the project has been rolled out successfully the following benefits will accrued to the country.
• Improved Reporting which will help improve strategic planning;
• Improve the country’s standing in the world bank Index, which will help draw stakeholders into the country;
• Improved access to justice;
• Reduction of Case backlogs;
• Preservation case files.
The Ministry’s action plan main objectives are to fast – track resolution of cases and improved environment on access to justice as well establishing an integrated system and capacity to prevent and take action against corruption on a national scale in order to improve the international corruption perception index value. Outcome target 2 on the plan of action emphasises on the need to develop a complete and efficient electronic case management system for both the civil and criminal justice systems
Moreover, national development strategies and plan of actions such as the Strategic Road Map 2019 – 2022 prioritises the implementation of the e-Government to centralise data and systems into single solution which will ultimately improve the country’s ease of doing business, the National Development Plan also under strategic goal number 5 underscores the importance of the utilization of e-Government and digital processes to improve service delivery. The implementation of this project will enable Eswatini to keep up with the evolving and emerging technological trends globally.
Honourable Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Pholile Shakantu
Common Core Document
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs through the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow up (NMRF) is in the process of developing a Common Core Document (CCD), to this end a first draft has been developed. Stakeholders are requested to read through the Draft CCD and provide written comments/contributions with a view of improving contents therein. A common core document provides information of a general and factual nature relating to the implementation of the treaties to which the reporting State is party and which is of relevance to all or several treaty bodies. Written comments/contributions should be sent in a hardcopy format to the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, alternatively be emailed in a Word Document to the State Reporting Coordinator at