Fast-track protection orders could be abused experts warn

GBV experts and legal practitioners have warned that the push to fast track the issuing of protection orders must be accompanied by safeguards to prevent the 24-hour process from being abused.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Saturday during the National Prayer Day directed that protection orders for gender-based-violence (GBV) victims must be served within 24 hours.

The prayer day was held under the theme ‘Seeking Divine Intervention Towards Behavioural Transformation to Save Lives’, to pray against GBV and road accidents in the country.

Commenting on the issue, De Celestino Incorporated legal practitioner Naboth De Celestino says interim protection orders can be granted without the respondent being heard, creating a potential loophole that could be exploited.