Issued by: Department of Justice
26 October 1999
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Penuell Maduna today opened the newly refurbished Newlands Branch Court, adjacent to the Sophiatown Police Station, following a R500 000 partnership between Philips SA, the departments of Justice and Public Works and Business Against Crime-Gauteng.
It is the first "model court" jointly developed out of a partnership between the private and public sectors, and was sponsored by Philips SA and facilitated by BAC-Gauteng. The refurbishment, among other aspects, paid specific attention to access for disabled people, special witness waiting rooms, improved signage, consultation facilities for legal representatives, office automation and security facilities.
"The project was developed around making courts more user-friendly and accessible for the people the court serves, at the same time ensuring optimum efficiency and productivity," says Elco van der Colff, BAC-Gauteng's director of criminal justice projects.
"The refurbishment has already had marked impact on improved productivity levels at the court, and Philips will be allocating further funds to the ongoing development of the court as a model regional court," says Wouter Dronkers, CEO and chairman of Philips South Africa.
"Business has an important role to play in the development of this country, and Philips has taken up this challenge," adds Dronkers. "As a leading international electronics company based on the West Rand and in close proximity to the Newlands Court, this project was ideally suited to our social investment policy and directly benefits the community in which we work and operate." "The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is in favour of partnerships between government, business and Business Against Crime," the Department's deputy director of media, Kaizer Kganyago says. "These partnerships are essential as they assist in the development of the courts and in the reduction of crime. "The Department would also like to urge communities, like those in Westbury, Riverlea and Sophiatown to take ownership of this court so as to make it effective and build its legitimacy.
"In particular, the Department welcomes this initiative by Philips SA and BAC-Gauteng," advocate P. du Randt, Chief Director: Court Management and Witness Protection adds.
"BAC-Gauteng's involvement in the project arose out of the realisation that our courts needed private sector support if they are to become more efficient and productive - a fundamental requirement in terms of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS)," says Van der Colff.
"This court serves a very large community, including crime-troubled areas such as Westbury, Riverlea and Sophiatown and, as with so many of our courts, issues such as the public image and perception of the court system and the perceived legitimacy of legal processes have to be addressed if our criminal justice system is to succeed.
"It made perfect sense for Philips SA to become involved in the project seeing their headquarters are directly across Main Road from the court and police station. However, the extent of their involvement speaks volumes for their initiative, commitment to the community, courage, foresight and generosity," Van der Colff, himself a former magistrate, adds.
Philips is strongly committed to social responsibility projects in the field of education and fighting crime, and actively supports BAC-Gauteng's Support Partnerships for Police Stations programme.
"We are convinced that the concept of partnerships between the private sector and the public sector - or more specifically, between government, communities and business - holds the key to resolving the problems of crime and violence in this country," says BAC-Gauteng chairman Doug Smollan.
"This 'model court' project is a shining example of what can be achieved through this approach, and, based on what we have learnt and will learn through ongoing monitoring of this project, will be applied in rolling out these types of courts to other areas in Gauteng and beyond."
For further information from Business Against Crime, contact LLEWELLYN KRIEL, Communication Director, Business Against Crime- Gauteng on (+27 11) 883-0717, fax 883-1679, mobile (+27 82) 608- 0459 or e-mail to llewellyn@bac.org.za
For further information from Philips SA contact TANIA AUBY, Group Marketing Communications Manager, Philips South Africa on (+27 011) 471-5235, fax 471-5034, mobile (+27 82) 775-5228 or e-mail to Error! Bookmark not defined.
For further information from Department of Justice, contact KAIZER KGANYAGO, Deputy Director: Media on (+27 12) 315-1807, fax 323-3595 or e-mail to kkanyago@justice.gov.za
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