OPENING OF DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN THE FREE STATE

Issued by: SA Communication Service

MEDIA STATEMENT REGARDING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE REGIONAL OFFICE: FREE STATE (BLOEMFONTEIN) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ON 13 MARCH 1998

The Free State Regional Office of the Department of Justice will be officially opened by the Minister of Justice, Dr AM Omar, MP on 13 March 1998. This is the realisation of the Department of Justice's transformation objectives, namely the decentralisation of its functions with the view of achieving community participation in the administration of justice and improved service delivery.

The office came into operation on 1 October 1997. The office is managed by the Regional Head.

Mr KR Makola and he is supported by three Directors:

• Mr B Noah - Administration
• Mr M Hurter - Personnel
• Mr VK Mguqulwa - Legal Administration

The key responsibilites of the office relate to:

• Ensuring efficient administration in general, as well as co-ordinating implementation of Departmental policies by all justice agencies in the region; thereby ensuring provision of services which meet the needs of the community.
• Community outreach to ensure positive relationships with communities, including NGO's and other community based organisations relevant to the administration of justice.
• Human Resource Development and Management in order to establish a service orientated personnel corps.
• Legal Administration with the objective to attain effective administration of justice, responsive to community needs.

The Regional Office has a vital role to play in the region. It will serve as a support system to the National Head Office, the sub-offices of the Department in the region, and the public at large.

ISSUED BY COMMUNICATION SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, ON BEHALF OF THE REGIONAL HEAD: FREE STATE

12 MARCH 1998 PRETORIA

ENQUIRIES: MR K R MAKOLA (REGIONAL HEAD) TEL: (051) 448 4422 FAX: (051) 448 4458