Compensation for court delay

A herdsman was awarded Lm2,000 compensation by our courts for unjustified delay of 13 years in his court case. In handing the award the First Hall of our civil courts emphasised that the delay has caused the accused uncertainty, frustration and anxiety. It added that justice should be done within a reasonable time. This is the second herdsman to be awarded compensation for delay by our courts.

In my opinion, while justice has been done to the two herdsmen the sentences of the civil courts have created another injustice. They have penalised the taxpayers for something which they have not done.

It is easy to play about with the taxpayers. It would make more sense if the person/s responsible for the delay were made to compensate the victims instead of the taxpayers having to do so. At least this would serve as a deterrent and there won't be a third time. As it is there is no guarantee that there would be no more cases like the above.