The independence of the judiciary continues to be one of the aspects that dominate debates on the functioning of justice in Mozambique. The various sectors involved in the system are calling for reforms to give this power more autonomy.

The president of the Supreme Court, Adelino Muchanga, defends the financial autonomy of the judicial system, in order to ensure that it functions in accordance with what is expected of it.

Muchanga criticizes the sector's dependence on political power as an aspect that conditions the actions of the courts.

"What we are saying is that the resources allocated to the courts, even if they are not sufficient, should be managed autonomously by the courts themselves," Muchanga argues.

"We have to move towards a stage where the courts and the judiciary, in general, are less dependent on the government, in terms of managing resources for their operation," he said, quoted by VOA.

From various sectors of society, the judiciary has been criticized for allegedly being in thrall to political power.

David Ucamo, jurist and author of the book "Independence of the Judiciary in Mozambique," says that this reading is based on the interpretation of various signs that show that, in fact, justice is not free.

"We have many elements in Mozambique that lead us to consider that the judiciary is probably not independent," said Ucamo.

In addition to the financial side, João Nhampossa, a lawyer and human rights activist, points to what he considers to be cases that make justice a drag on political power.

"The functional structure of the judiciary depends on the budget that is set and drawn up by the executive, the appointment of the judges-president of the courts, the Constitutional Council, the Attorney General of the Republic-is done through the President of the Republic," he said.