The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Jeff Radebe launched the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal today, 28 May 2013.
The court is one of the department’s new generation courts, fitted with state of the art technology incorporating electronic communications, networking and data systems. The equipment includes the Digital Court System for recording of proceedings in active court rooms and an Audio Visual Remand system which links to Correctional Services for facilitation of postponements and other matters via video conference. The Regional and High court rooms are fitted with CCTV equipment, two-way facilities and waiting rooms for facilitation of Sexual Offences cases involving minors.
The new court building will bring dignity to the manner in which justice services are administered in the communities of Inanda, Phoenix, KwaMashu, Ntuzuma and surrounds especially since services at the old court site were limited.
Since the 1970’s, the Ntuzuma Court was a branch court of the Verulam Magistrate’s Court and only dealt with criminal and family court matters. Ntuzuma court, which is one of the 90 branch courts country-wide, was re-designated as a full services’ court in October 2011.
“Through the construction of courts, the right of everyone to have any dispute resolved by the application of the law in a fair public hearing before a court is guaranteed. Bringing this court closer to the people will undoubtedly cut the travel costs and time”, said Minister Radebe.
Hailing the opening of the court, KwaZulu-Natal Judge President, Judge Chiman Patelsaid the court had been mooted as “the answer to swift justice as it will alleviate the burden on other court”. Judge Patel also mentioned that KwaZulu-Natal was a pilot site for the case flow management project, a project aimed at reducing case backlogs.
The department has invested over R200 million in the construction of this facility which fits a project of this magnitude constructing a fully-fledged court building which consists of 17 Court rooms including one High Court Seat, 45 magistrate and prosecutor offices, 19 prisoners cells and four prisoners consultation rooms.
The newly built Magistrate’s Court forms part of the department’s infrastructure development intended for previously under serviced communities. Ntuzuma Magistrate's Court is the 43rd court to be built since 1994.
Enquiries:
Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, Spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
Cell: 083 641 8141
