Madam Deputy Speaker, a big part of the question the hon Michael has posed is in fact a new question. Let me try to clarify. It is true that the process of appointing magistrates is a very lengthy one. We have raised that with the Magistrates' Commission. We are happy to say the process is speeding up. In fact, the last meeting of the Magistrates' Commission made recommendations in respect of many of the outstanding vacancies.
What's important to clarify is that even where there is a vacant magistrate's position, it does not mean there is no warm body sitting in that position. Those positions are all filled by the appointment of acting magistrates. There is no single position that is vacant in the true sense of word, where someone is not sitting there and hearing cases.
In the case of the Ekangala court, it's also important to point out that it is indeed a functioning court. There are magistrates sitting there. Where there are vacancies, there are acting magistrates and, should the need arise for additional posts, those will be filled on recommendation of the Magistrates' Commission.