The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr John Jeffery, met with the Regional Court President, Regional Court Magistrates and other senior departmental officials to discuss the performance of Limpopo Province Regional Courts in Phalaborwa on Thursday, 23 June 2016.
At a recent meeting with the Regional Courts President of the country, the Deputy Minister raised the issue of a growing trend of increased backlog of cases in the regional courts. He urged the Regional Courts Presidents to work with all stakeholders to find lasting solutions. “With integrated and coordinated efforts from all involved in the justice system, our courts will continue to improve. That’s why it was important for me to visit here today and meet with role-players to get first-hand information of the problems they are experiencing.” said Deputy Minister Jeffery.
The meeting which was also attended by Regional Court Magistrate’s, is part of normal case flow management meetings with other stakeholders in the criminal justice system (CJS) value chain. The Deputy Minister decided to use the occasion to visit Limpopo to meet with all role-players so as to first-hand establish reasons for possible blockages in the Criminal Justice System and to discuss ways in which to improve support to the regional courts, court performance and integrated coordination and improved communication between the role players in the province.
Various blockages were unpacked by the respective role players and possible solutions were proposed that can further improve court performance. The Deputy Minister said that service delivery and access to justice for the people of Limpopo are an absolute priority for the department. “That’s why, as an example, we are so pleased that we have functioning small claims courts in each and every court of the 36 magisterial districts in the province”.
Some of the issues raised related to infrastructure, accommodation at courts, library books, security aspects and vacancies in prosecutor posts. It was also raised that often the delay is caused by the accused who continuously “hire and fire” their legal representatives, or by witnesses who are missing or who do not turn up at court. Other issues include insufficient capacity in terms of numbers of legal representatives who at times consequently have to appear in more than one court at a time.
It was decided that all regional magistrates and other role players will collate their respective challenges and forward it through their respective heads to the Office of the Deputy Minister for further interaction with the heads of the respective role players in order to find and implement sustainable solutions to the blockages indicated.
The Deputy Minister concluded the meeting by saying that he is confident that after his meeting with Regional Court President and other senior officials, the issue of speedy justice and a reduction in criminal case backlogs in our regional courts will also improve.
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