LEGAL AID OFFICER READY TO ASSIST POOR, MARGINALISED

MBABANE – A legal aid officer stationed in Siteki, in the Lubombo Region has opened an office with the aim of helping people who can’t afford a lawyer in their legal cases.

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. When speaking to the government communications team about his journey in the legal aid profession and what he intends to do, Shili said his role involved 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 programmes, including budgeting and resource mobilisation,” he said.

He narrated that the Legal Aid Office was responsible for the coordination and provision of legal aid services in the country. He said legal aid played a pivotal role in improving the living conditions of the poor and marginalised 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 advice, 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,” he said.

When asked what he loved about working in government, Shili said working in government had afforded him the privilege to serve the people of Eswatini. He said as a civil servant, his primary responsibility was to safeguard the welfare and prosperity of emaSwati in alignment with government policies. He mentioned that within the government context, it was 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.

Fulfilment

“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,” he said. When asked what his biggest achievement was in the civil service journey, Shili said when reflecting on his journey, it was challenging to single out one particular achievement as many of the initiatives he had worked on had contributed to improving the lives of emaSwati. “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,” he said.

By establishing well-organised systems for handling complaints, Shili said he actively contributed to the effectiveness of the country’s mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights. He also revealed that another notable accomplishment has been his involvement in establishing a multi-stakeholder forum for human rights actors. He said this forum, which he conceived and initiated, provided 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,” he said.

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