On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Day of Legality, President Daniel Chapo urged magistrates, public officials, and state servants to uphold integrity, responsibility, competence, and legality in their actions. He emphasized that corrupt practices erode citizens' trust in institutions and undermine the democratic rule of law. Chapo acknowledged the persistent challenges in the sector, including slow processing of cases, excessive bureaucracy, and abuse of power.
President Chapo highlighted the progress made in protecting fundamental rights, freedoms, and guarantees, but stressed the need for continued improvement in the functioning of judicial institutions. He emphasized that no citizen should be judged or convicted without legal assistance. The President identified corruption, drug trafficking, human organ trafficking, terrorism, money laundering, illegal mining, and document falsification as complex crimes requiring coordinated responses from justice administration bodies.
To address these complex crimes, President Chapo suggested considering the creation of specialized courts or sections for judging organized and complex crimes, as part of the proposed reforms to the justice sector discussed within the National Inclusive Dialogue. He also called for strengthening internal oversight and control mechanisms, encouraging superior councils and sectoral inspections to promote ethics and integrity among public servants.
President Chapo emphasized that isolated cases of misconduct among professionals should not overshadow the responsible work of the majority. He assured that despite Mozambique's financial limitations, the government would continue to invest in creating better working conditions for justice administration bodies. According to Chapo, investing in the justice sector is not an expense, but a condition for maintaining peace, stability, and socio-economic development.
The President highlighted the crucial role of the justice sector in constructing the country's economic independence. He appealed to justice bodies, the police, and other public institutions to reinforce law observance and security during the festive season, characterized by an increased presence of national and foreign tourists. The 45th anniversary of the Day of Legality was celebrated under the theme "Serving the people with justice, integrity, and responsibility".
This theme calls for strengthening transparent, accessible institutions committed to defending citizens' rights. President Chapo's address reflects the government's efforts to prioritize the justice sector and promote a culture of integrity and accountability. The celebration provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the progress made and the challenges ahead in ensuring justice and legality in Mozambique.
Key points
- President Daniel Chapo calls for zero tolerance on corruption in Mozambique's justice sector.
- The government will continue to invest in creating better working conditions for justice administration bodies despite financial limitations.
- The justice sector plays a crucial role in constructing Mozambique's economic independence and maintaining peace and stability.
