Issued by: Ministry of Justice
MEDIA RELEASE BY MR A M OMAR MP, MINISTER OF JUSTICE, RELATING TO A WORKSHOP HELD ON 13 SEPTEMBER 1996, CAPE TOWN, REGARDING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN THE TRANSKEI.
The Department of Justice has embarked upon a process to transform the administration of justice in order to render a better service to the people of the RSA. This is important on a national level, but also on a local level. Consequently, and as a result of problems that were experienced in the Transkei in particular, approximately 9 task teams were formed to go to the Transkei to assess the problems and assist in training officials there.
The task teams - consisting of magistrates from other areas in the country - were sent to the Transkei earlier this year and have now reported back to the Department on the situation there and have made proposals to improve the situation. These reports were discussed today at a workshop here in Cape Town. Assembled at the meeting were representatives of the task teams, senior officials from the Transkei and senior officials from the Department.
At the workshop the discussions around the reports revealed that there are various problems impacting negatively on the administration of justice in the Transkei. Examples hereof are, inter alia.
1. Infrastructural problems, such as insufficient accommodation, accommodation in poor condition, no running water and or electricity at various offices, inadequate toilets, lack of office furniture and lack of labour saving devices.
2. Problems relating to office administration, such as insufficient control over public money, lack of discipline, backlog at the Regional Office and too many agency services rendered by Offices.
3. Legal administration problems, such as lack of proper control over court rolls, lack of court management and lack of effective legal training.
The meeting adopted a regional management plan which provides for effective management of courts. This is part of a national plan of action to transform our magistrates courts. The reports and plan will serve to enable the Department to assess the problems experienced on the ground properly and to plan on how to address these problems as speedily and effectively as possible. Steps have, however, already been initiated to address some of the problems. For example, training, has received continuous attention and steps are being taken to upgrade the infrastructure in that region.
What will happen now is that a follow-up meeting will be held in October in order to involve all the relevant role players and to structure a plan for each Magistrate Court in the Transkei.
Implementation of these plans will then follow on as many levels as possible. To assist in this regard the Department has requested RDP-funds to be made available in terms of a cross-cutting programme in order to improve, inter alia, the infrastructure and buildings. Other role players such as Business against Crime and foreign funders have also been approached to assist. The aim is to systematically improve the administration of justice country-wide. The Transkei is not the only area that is receiving attention. This will improve the services rendered to the community and the working conditions of all officials.
The workshop as well as the follow-up meeting are funded by USAID and appreciation is expressed to them and other role players who are helping us shape and transform the administration of justice to better serve the people of South Africa.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE CAPE TOWN 13 SEPTEMBER 1996 ENQUIRIES: P SETSETSE (TEL 021 - 457506)