Children take concerns to ConCourt
They are demanding tougher laws to better protect them.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says the Criminal Procedures Act must be changed.
She will discuss this with Judge President Mandisa Maya.
Kubayi admits to shortcomings in the criminal justice system that she hopes policy amendments will address.
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The Herald
15 hours ago
- The Herald
Chief justice introduces sexual harassment policy for judiciary
Chief justice Mandisa Maya has announced the introduction of a sexual harassment policy for the judiciary. Maya said the policy is necessary and an urgent intervention. 'The judiciary cannot dispense justice to society if it does not first ensure it within its own ranks. Sexual harassment is a gross abuse of power, a denial of equality and a stain on the legitimacy of the courts. We are going to tackle it head on and this policy will be a very useful mechanism in that battle,' she said. In recent months, the sordid saga of Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge raised hard questions about sexual harassment in the judiciary. Mbenenge is facing sexual harassment charges brought against him at the judicial conduct tribunal by a judge's secretary from his division. Maya said the policy will entrench a culture of accountability and respect, ensuring the judiciary remains a beacon of justice for all. According to the chief justice, the policy reiterates the judiciary's unwavering commitment to the constitutional values of human dignity, equality and justice and sends a clear message that 'sexual harassment has no place in the halls of justice'. 'As custodians of the constitution, judges and magistrates bear a profound responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity. The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and South Africa's own Judicial Codes of Conduct demand nothing less. Yet, where sexual harassment occurs within the judiciary, it is not only a personal violation; it is also an affront to the rule of law itself, eroding public trust and betraying the very principles the institution exists to defend and uphold,' she said. The key principles of the policy include zero tolerance for sexual harassment by or against any judicial officer, staff member or individual engaging with the judiciary. It also includes clear, confidential and fair procedures for reporting and addressing complaints, with protections against retaliation, accountability, disciplinary consequences for offenders and a safe and respectful workplace free from discrimination and intimidation. Maya has directed members of the judiciary to urgently familiarise themselves with the policy and ensure adherence. 'This is not merely a document; it is a covenant with the people of South Africa. We must lead by example.' TimesLIVE
IOL News
21 hours ago
- IOL News
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya unveils new sexual harassment policy for judiciary
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya announced a sexual harassment policy for the judiciary. Image: File As National Women's Day was celebrated on Saturday, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has announced the introduction of a Sexual Harassment Policy for the South African Judiciary. The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has described it as a historic step in safeguarding the integrity of the courts and protecting the dignity of all who serve within them. The OCJ said this policy reiterates the judiciary's unwavering commitment to the Constitutional values of human dignity, equality, and justice. It said this sends a clear message that sexual harassment has no place in the halls of justice. As custodians of the Constitution, Judges and Magistrates bear a profound responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity. The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and South Africa's own Judicial Codes of Conduct demand nothing less, the office said in a statement. It added that where sexual harassment occurs within the judiciary, it is not only a personal violation; it is also an affront to the rule of law itself, eroding public trust and betraying the very principles the institution exists to defend and uphold. 'This Policy is a necessary and urgent intervention. The Judiciary cannot dispense justice to society if it does not first ensure it within its own ranks. Sexual harassment is a gross abuse of power, a denial of equality, and a stain on the legitimacy of the courts. We are going to tackle it head on and this policy will be a very useful mechanism in that battle,' Justice Maya said. The principles of the policy were set out in a 25-page document, which includes zero tolerance for sexual harassment by or against any judicial officer, staff member, or individual engaging with the judiciary. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ It also sets out guidelines for clear, confidential, and fair procedures for reporting and addressing complaints, with protections against retaliation. The policy calls for accountability, with disciplinary consequences for offenders, as well as for a safe and respectful workplace, free from discrimination and intimidation. The Chief Justice has directed all members of the judiciary to urgently familiarise themselves with the policy and ensure adherence. 'This is not merely a document; it is a covenant with the people of South Africa. We must lead by example,' the Chief Justice emphasised. The policy will further entrench a culture of accountability and respect, ensuring that the judiciary remains a beacon of justice for all, she said. In an annexure to the 25-page sexual harassment policy issued, some examples of verbal, non-verbal, and physical conduct that may be construed as unwelcome sexual harassment were given. These include "gestures, staring, leering, and indecent exposure". It also included the display, or sending by electronic or any other means, of sexually explicit pictures, videos, or messages. The sending of sexually suggestive pictures, including emojis or stickers, was also included. The judicial conduct tribunal, which is investigating complaints against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge, arising out of a sexual harassment complaint, has meanwhile concluded its hearing of oral evidence in the matter. Lawyers acting for the complainant, judges secretary Andiswa Mengo, and Mbenenge's legal team are due to present their final legal arguments before the tribunal in October. It is alleged by Mengo that the judge president had subjected her to sexual harassment, which made her very uncomfortable. This was denied by Mbenenge, who claimed it was consensual flirting between two adults.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- TimesLIVE
Chief justice introduces sexual harassment policy for judiciary
Chief justice Mandisa Maya has announced the introduction of a sexual harassment policy for the judiciary. Maya said the policy is necessary and an urgent intervention. 'The judiciary cannot dispense justice to society if it does not first ensure it within its own ranks. Sexual harassment is a gross abuse of power, a denial of equality and a stain on the legitimacy of the courts. We are going to tackle it head on and this policy will be a very useful mechanism in that battle,' she said. In recent months, the sordid saga of Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge raised hard questions about sexual harassment in the judiciary. Mbenenge is facing sexual harassment charges brought against him at the judicial conduct tribunal by a judge's secretary from his division. Maya said the policy will entrench a culture of accountability and respect, ensuring the judiciary remains a beacon of justice for all. According to the chief justice, the policy reiterates the judiciary's unwavering commitment to the constitutional values of human dignity, equality and justice and sends a clear message that 'sexual harassment has no place in the halls of justice'. 'As custodians of the constitution, judges and magistrates bear a profound responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity. The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and South Africa's own Judicial Codes of Conduct demand nothing less. Yet, where sexual harassment occurs within the judiciary, it is not only a personal violation; it is also an affront to the rule of law itself, eroding public trust and betraying the very principles the institution exists to defend and uphold,' she said. The key principles of the policy include zero tolerance for sexual harassment by or against any judicial officer, staff member or individual engaging with the judiciary. It also includes clear, confidential and fair procedures for reporting and addressing complaints, with protections against retaliation, accountability, disciplinary consequences for offenders and a safe and respectful workplace free from discrimination and intimidation. Maya has directed members of the judiciary to urgently familiarise themselves with the policy and ensure adherence. 'This is not merely a document; it is a covenant with the people of South Africa. We must lead by example.'
