UITENHAGE 29 OCTOBER 1999
The Honourable Mayor Mr Ndoni,
Honourable members of the Local Council, Judge President Somyalo
The Vice-President of the Regional Court, Mr Lugajo,
Community Leaders,
Esteemed Guests,
Ladies and Gentleman.
It is indeed an honour for me to be part of this historic event in this equality historic magisterial district which is the fifth oldest in South Africa.
The opening of the Kwa-Nobuhle Branch Court is unprecedented in many respects as it is a product of a partnership between the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, community leaders from the local SANCO Branch, the local South African Police Services Station Officials and the then Kwa-Nobuhle local Council.
This Branch Court is also a shining example of the good that can be achieved if people work towards a common goal.
I say so because it is rare to find members of a community who are always prepared to forget about their differences in order to achieve a certain set goal that will benefit everyone. It is you perseverance, unshakable commitment and strong will to eradicate crime and uphold the justice system that made it possible for me to come and celebrate with you today.
For that I will always remain grateful and humbled and I say that if there is anyone who deserve an applause, it is all of your who made it possible for this court to be built, particularly SANCO leaders who made countless written representations to the Department and it's allies and articulated the need for a branch court in this area.
We welcome such initiatives as they strengthen our commitment to provide proper accommodation and other facilities, especially in the previously neglected areas of our country.
This is a priority because the upgraded facilities will boost staff morale, lead to increased productivity, contribute to job creation and enhance economic empowerment of surrounding communities.
Research and data collected by the Department has also shown that the building of a court in this area was actually long over due.
The records speak for themselves, as 60% of people involved in the maintenance cases the district live in this area, and a further high amount of criminal matter originate from this area. It is therefore comforting to see that this court now boasts of two holding cells, an office for the Clerk of the Court, a consulting room for legal practitioners, a large courtroom with an enclosed public galle ry as well as offices for the Magistrate, Public Prosecutors and a waiting room for assessors.
I am also proud to mention that the staff composition at Kwa-Nobuhle is also broadly representative of the community that is servicing, with only the Magistrate in the Maintenance Court being the only white person.
Ladies and Gentleman I must confess that, although much has been done, there is still room for improvement of this branch court.
I will encourage my staff at the Head Office to work together with your regional head and the senior magistrate in this magisterial district so that the maintenance court can be on session on all working days, and not just on Wednesdays and Thursdays as it is the case at the present moment.
This is very much important for the Department as we will be implementing the New Maintenance Act No. 99 of 1998 next month and we expect every person who is entitled to maintenance to derive maximum benefit from the improvements that will be brought about by the introduction of this Act. I have been made aware that there is unfortunately a steady rise in the level of juvenile crime and the numbers of children orphaned by the HIV/Aids epidemic in this area. It has also come to light that the number of social workers rendering services to the criminal and children's courts in this area has increased from 15 in May 1997 to 41 at present.
The good work that is done by these social workers must not only be commended by everyone, but must be emulated by members of the local community. I strongly urge you to form support groups by coming together as members of the community, church leaders and educators and work towards the restoration of the moral fabric of society.
I am also deeply disturbed by the high levels of rape, indecent assault and domestic violence prevalent in Kwa-Nobuhle and the country in general.
My Department has prioritised domestic violence as one of the social evil that must be eradicated from communities. We will be introducing the New Domestic Violence Act on the 15th December 1999, and I promise that we will deal harshly with all perpetrators of this brutal acts against innocent people.
In it's quest to improve service delivery, the Department is working towards the establishment of courts rendering integrated services under the same roof in the from of family courts, which will deal with sexual violence, rape and other related offences. This process has already started in other areas and your court will also soon benefit from this initiative.
The Department will also continue to initiate measures to ensure that the courts can play an effective and efficient role within the ambit of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) in the fight against crime, and also to deter criminals and help to combat criminality in general.
To this end, my Department and I are committed to continually improve the way in which courts are functioning in order to promote justice for all.
To the public, we therefore again commit ourselves to continue to consult with you and civil society to promote partnership between the Department and organisations in civil society.
Lastly Ladies and Gentleman, of vital importance for the success of this branch court is not only the core of experienced and dedicated officials servicing the area, but your own partnership in the dispensation of justice.
This can take place if you continue to participate in the lay assessors system, justice forums and in the broader sense participate in influencing legislation by submitting comments and recommendations from time to time as required.
I thank you.
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