Issued by: GCIS
A Project Document which regulates the terms of a donation received from the Embassy of Ireland was undersigned on 14 December 1998. The essence of the Project proposal is that an amount of two hundred and thirty five thousand four hundred and fifty five pounds will be donated by Ireland Aid to implement project activities over a three year period.
The project details are that desks (in the magistrate's offices Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban) are being implemented with the aim of contributing towards improving access to the justice system in South Africa.
The principal inputs are: staff costs, computer hardware and software, office infrastructure and staff training and development.
This project was identified as a pilot project under the Department of Justice's Vision 2000: A strategic plan for the transformation and rationalisation of the administration of justice to create a system which is cheaper, simpler, more effective, efficient and generally fair.
The end result will be a system which is representative of, and responsive to the needs of the entire South African community. This project is one which will contribute to these general aims.
In response to the need to enhance the accessibility of justice/courts to the general public, the Department of Justice is establishing Citizens' Advice Desks in courts. This is a new initiative and the department is piloting this project in the courts sponsored by the Ireland Aid grant. These courts have been selected to represent both client diversity and geographical location. It is intended that these Citizens' Advice desks will be the first point of contact for the public, will provide information about the court, administration of justice and human rights.
Depending on the result of the pilot phase of this project the Department of Justice will consider expanding the Citizens' Advice desks to all courts.
Ireland Aid was requested to fund the pilot phase of the project for a period of three years. The proposed project is in line with Ireland Aid South Africa Objectives in the human rights and democratisation sector including: assisting the transformation of the justice system; promoting a culture of human rights and supporting the growth of open government.
It is also community-orientated and has practical grassroots support.
The Department of Justice is responsible for the implementation of the project. The identified courts will be responsible for the establishment of the Citizen's Advice Desks and managing their operations.
The Directorate: Community Services from the Department of Justice's National Office is co-ordinating all actions for implementation as well as the performance of all liaison and reporting functions to the Embassy of Ireland.
The desks are operating as the infrastructure is in place and personnel have been employed. The Chief Magistrate of Pretoria, Mr Moldenhauer has the pleasure of hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially launch the desk established in his office on 30 November 1999.
This ceremony will be undertaken by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Dr PM Maduna MP and our special guest is the Ambassador of Ireland, His Excellency Ambassador Swift.
Various groups from the community around Pretoria will be entertaining the guests and the media is welcome to attend.
For any enquiries please contact: Mrs M van Rensburg at Tel: (012) 315-1066
ISSUED BY THE CHIEF DIRECTORATE: COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
29 November 1999