Issued by: Department of Justice
MEDIA RELEASE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RELATING TO ACTIONS TO COMBAT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF DOCKETS IN CRIMINAL CASES
Mr A M Omar, the Minister of Justice, has on several occasions expressed deep concern about reports relating to the disappearance of dockets in criminal cases, especially since it is believed that crime syndicates are deeply involved in the disappearances of dockets.
When a criminal case docket disappears, prosecution of the crime either fails completely in the case where the docket does not lend itself to reconstruction, for example because it contains irreplaceable documentary exhibits, or is delayed considerably when the docket is to be reconstructed. Often the charge has to be withdrawn while the possibility of reconstructing the docket is being investigated, entailing that a suspect who is in custody has to be released, or fi on bail, the amount deposited has to be refunded or any securities released.
To address this problem, Mr J J Noeth, the Director-general of the Department of Justice and Commissioner G Fivaz of the South African Police Services have held urgent discussions. As a result hereof a joint working group has been established to investigate and address the problem on an urgent basis.
In order to combat this problem effectively it has been decided that a two pronged approach will be followed:
To effectively counter the disappearance of dockets the help of the public will, however, be essential. Members of the public and organisations who have knowledge of dockets that have disappeared are therefore requested to bring any information they may have in this regard, under the immediate attention of Mr PHT Kleynhans (Chief Director), Department of Justice, tel. (012) 323 9302 or fax. (012) 218 291.
ISSUED BY THE CHIEF LIAISON OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Enquiries: Adv Pieter du Rand Tel.: (012) 323 9302 X2197 Fax: (012) 218 291
Pretoria 8 May 1996