The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 enjoins the Minister of Justice & Constitutional Development to manage the rationalisation of all courts with a view to establishing a court system suited to the requirements of the Constitution (Item 16 (6) of Schedule (6) to the Constitution).
The rationalisation of magisterial districts is part of this exercise. In accordance with this constitutional imperative, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Jeff Radebe, intends to rationalise magisterial districts in the Republic in order to align the territorial jurisdictions of all courts with the Constitution, thereby correcting the legacy of the old districts which are based on the defunct independent, self-governing states and old RSA territories. The rationalisation process will be undertaken gradually, commencing with the provinces of Gauteng and North West.
Comments are invited on the proposed changes to the magisterial districts indicated in the Schedule below with regard to the provinces of Gauteng and North West. (Proposed changes to the magisterial districts in respect of the outstanding Provinces will be published at a later stage).
Copies of the maps can also be viewed at all the magistrates’ courts and police stations during official hours from 15 November until 17 December 2013.
Submissions in relation to the above proposed magisterial districts for the provinces of Gauteng and North West may be placed inside the designated boxes at the department’s National Office, Regional Offices of the two provinces concerned and at all Magistrates’ Courts and High Courts of the two provinces.
Due date for submission is 16h00 on 17 December 2013.
Regional offices of the department will hold information sessions in respect of the areas mostly affected by the proposed changes to the magisterial districts. Dates and venues of the sessions will be communicated through the relevant community structures.
Any inquiry can be directed to the following numbers:
- 011 332 9000 (Gauteng Regional Office)
- 018 392 7050 (North West Regional Office)
- 012 315 1767 or 012 315 1688 (National Office)
