Justice at their door step as Minister Jeff Radebe officially opens Kagiso Magistrates Court
Residents of Kagiso in Gauteng will no longer have to travel 17km to get access to basic justice services all thanks to the newly revamped Kagiso Magistrates Court. This is part of commemorating Human Rights month and an endeavour to bring justice closer to the people.
“As you will all know, the struggle for democracy was a struggle for Justice, Freedom and Human Rights,” said Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD), Jeff Radebe during the launch.
The opening of the Kagiso Magistrate Court comes just in time when South Africans are celebrating 20 years of democracy which shows government’s commitment to redress the inequality of the past. The department has built more than 43 new courts and revamped several others since 1994, of which most were built in predominately black areas and rural villages which were marginalised by the erstwhile apartheid government.
Kagiso Magistrate’s Court is the 29th Branch Court to be converted into a full services’ court during this era of the fourth administration since the advent of democracy in 1994.
“By revamping this court which was formerly a Branch Court converting it into a full-services’ court we ensured that the community of Kagiso will no longer suffer the indignity and hardships of having to commute to the far away court in town to access services relating to civil claims, family law, maintenance, deceased estate,” explained Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe. This court consist of 2 Regional Courts; 3 District Courts; 1 Civil Court; 2 Family Court; 1 Children’s / Equality Court.
Through the Access to Justice Programme the department is moving steadfastly to harmonise the magisterial districts within the constitutional dispensation. This is with a view to accelerate the transformation of the justice system and building an equal and just society.
Minister Radebe pleaded with the community of Kagiso to protect the court facilities from vandalism.
“Today marks an important day as we commit these world class facilities to the people of Kagiso and the newly developed surrounding areas. As with all public facilities, these costs a lot of tax-payers money to build and we are confident that you will handle them with the care they deserve, “pleaded Minister Radebe.
In attendance was the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr John Jeffrey, Deputy Minister of Public Works, Mr J Cronin, Hon Madam Justice Nkabinde, judge of the Constitutional Court and Chairperson of the Rules Board, Judge President of the North and South Gauteng High Courts, Judge D Mlambo, MEC for Community Safety, Gauteng, Ms F Mazibuko, Executive Mayor of Mogale City, Cllr K Seerane and others.
The Minister also had opportunity to interact with community members on justice related issues.
Enquiries:
Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga
Spokesperson for Justice and Constitutional Development
Cell: 083 641 8141
