PENING OF OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Issued by: South African Communication Service

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE WESTERN CAPE REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BY THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE

The Department of Justice underwent drastic changes after the 1994-elections. In terms of the Constitution, the eleven former Departments of Justice were amalgamated into one National Department from 1 October 1994. Since then the Department has undergone a transformation and rationalization process as far as its management structures and pesonnel are concerned. This rationalization process lead to the establishment of Regional Offices and the decentralization of the functions of the National Department.

The Western Cape Regional Office, headed by Adv Hishaam Mohamed, came into operation in October 1997. The Office has the overall responsibility to co-ordinate all administrative functions of Sub-Offices, such as Magistrate's Offices, the Attorney-General, the Master of the High Court, the Office for Serious Economic Offences, the Registrar, State Attorney and Family Advocate.

The Western Cape Regional Office is divided into three main branches:

• Legal Services and Training
• Financial Services and Administration
• Human Resources

The Key responsibilities of the Office relate to:

• effective management of personnel;
• financial management;
• provisioning of auxiliary services;
• promotion of sound labour relations;
• handling of legal administration, inspection services and training needs; and
• building a partnership of co-operation with the Provincial Government and local communities.

The Office will be officially opened on 24 April 1998 by Dr A M Omar, Minister of Justice. The Deputy Minister, Dr M E Tshabalala-Msimang will also attend the opening.

The Western Cape Regional Office is situated on the 11th floor of the Pleinpark Building, Plein Street, Cape Town.

ISSUED BY THE CHIEF DIRECTORATE: COMMUNICATION SERVICE ON BEHALF OF THE REGIONAL HEAD.

PRETORIA 23 APRIL 1998

ENQUIRIES: ADV H MOHAMED (REGIONAL HEAD) TEL. : (021) 462 5471-9 Cellular : 082 460 4298 FAX. : (021) 462 3141