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The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services today expressed concern regarding the non-availability of the final report on the impact of court judgements on socio-economic conditions.

Committee Chairperson Dr Mathole Motshekga emphasised: “It must be made clear that we (the Committee) want the original report and not a sanitised version.”

Dr Motshekga said the absence of the report makes it difficult for the Committee, as it lacks empirical evidence. He said the Committee noted that the completed report by Fort Hare University and the Human Sciences Research Council was sent to the Department, which then presented it to Cabinet.

According to a presentation by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the report was commissioned by Cabinet with the Department as the implementing agent.

Dr Motshekga further said the absence of the complete report presents a problem for the Committee, as it was made available to other government departments and municipalities. “We are now having an uninformed discussion and without the report we are disempowered.”

He made it clear that today’s meeting was not about the independence of the judiciary or the transformation of the judiciary.

During the meeting, the Committee heard that the report focused on the impact of judicial decisions and the extent to which these decisions have been implemented by government.

The Committee heard that the State operates on year budgets within a three year Mid-Term Budget Framework. This means that there may be insufficient funds to implement additional projects, as funds have already been allocated and budgeted for. Further reasons for non- or slow implementation include a skills shortage among government officials and a lack of material and financial resources.

Dr Motshekga also clarified that the initial report should also be presented to the Committee.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, Dr Mathole Motshekga