A persistent sewage problem has forced the newly opened magistrate’s court to close early each day, raising fears of mounting delays in the criminal justice system.

For weeks, the court has been shutting its doors by midday, with proceedings restricted to remand hearings and, occasionally, one or two witness testimonies. The disruption has led to a growing backlog of cases, drawing frustration from lawyers, defendants and witnesses.

Attorney Wendel Alexander called the situation “time-wasting and time-consuming,” warning that the wider justice process was being undermined.

He added that many lawyers were keen to resolve matters before the High Court Criminal Assizes reopen in mid-September, but the curtailed hours were making that goal “nearly impossible.”

The sewage problem remains unresolved, prompting renewed calls for swift action to restore normal operations.