Attorney General Likando Kalaluka says Zambia has benefited from the mutual legal assistance rendered by SADC countries in the prosecution of transboundary crimes.

According to a statement issued by Zambia’s First Secretary for Press and Public Relations in South Africa Naomi Nyawali, Kalaluka was speaking during the SADC Ministers and Attorney-General’s meeting held in Pretoria.

Kalaluka noted that Zambia had received co-operation from many SADC countries in the prosecution of people that have been hiding in other countries through extradition and mutual legal assistance.

“He said the implementation of extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties by many SADC countries was benefiting Zambia as it has enabled law enforcement agencies to gather first hand evidence in other foreign jurisdictions. Mr Kalaluka noted that the co-operation among SADC countries in providing legal assistance in the prosecution of criminal offences was beneficial to the region as a whole as people committing crimes were held accountable for their actions owing to the fact that they had nowhere to hide,” stated Nyawali.

“He said SADC as a regional body, should enhance the facilitation of the implementation of extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties between countries in order to expedite gathering of first hand evidence in foreign countries.”