The Bureau’s spokesperson, Jacqueline Ngongonda, told Zodiak Online on the sidelines of an awareness campaign in Ntcheu that opening of district offices will ease costs incurred by citizens seeking justice.

"The Bureau had already recruited staff for the designated districts. We are in a process of securing office spaces," she said.

Ngondonda said idea of establishing additional offices follows overwhelming response from the public and long distance people walk to access legal services.

She says they district offices will be opened in Karonga, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Mulanje and Mangochi.

The Malawi Legal Aid Bureau currently has four offices in Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Blantyre and Zomba.

In the meantime, under the Chilungamo Justice and Accountability Programme with support from European Union, the Bureau has intensified legal awareness campaigns in Ntcheu.

The campaign seeks to enhance citizen participation in accessing justice timely.

(Written by Blessings Kang'ombe)