Latest news with #DepartmentofJusticeandConstitutionalDevelopment
The South African
4 days ago
- General
- The South African
Deputy ministers partner up to protect children
On 4 June 2025, The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel will be joining forces with the Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike. The two departments are hosting a Community and Youth Engagement event in Mitchells Plain under the theme, 'Protection of Children is in Their Best Interest'. According to both ministries, the event will focus on unpacking the constitutional principle of 'the best interests of the child'. They said the event will also educate and empower parents, children, caregivers as well as the broader community about the rights of children. 'The session aims to strengthen community-based responses to child protection and promote a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in safeguarding children's well-being', said spokesperson of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Kgalalelo Masibi. The disappearance of Joshlin Smith thrust the Western Cape into the spotlight, particularly on matters pertaining to child protection. The unfolding of the case has also sparked debate regarding the overall protection of children by their parents and caregivers. According to Masibi, during the community engagement, both ministries aim to delve deeper into circumstances and examples that contribute to children's rights being violated . 'The programme will include keynote addresses by both Deputy Ministers and the Acting Deputy Judge President, Judge Erasmus', said Masibi. According to Masibi, attendees will benefit from a series of expert-led presentations on key child protection issues such as:• The legal principle of the best interests of the child• Child maintenance and legal safeguards• Cyberbullying and digital safety• Child trafficking• Intermediary services • Protection of LGBTQIA+ children and children affected by gender-based violence
IOL News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Proposed bill aims to expedite judicial complaints resolution
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has made a request to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to amend the Judicial Services Commission Act to increase the number of judges in the judicial Conduct Committee. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers The judicial system may soon see a significant reduction in the backlog of complaints lodged against judges, thanks to a newly introduced bill in Parliament. The Judicial Matters Amendment Bill aims to expedite the handling of these complaints, responding to long-standing concerns about delays in the system. This week, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development presented to the Justice Portfolio Committee on the bill, which seeks to amend several pieces of legislation related to the judiciary. One notable proposal includes an increase in the members of the six-member Judicial Conduct Committee (JCC), which is tasked with assessing complaints against judges. The bill suggests expanding the number of judges on the committee from four to eight, along with provisions allowing the chairperson to appoint up to three temporary judges specifically to address the backlog of cases. Deputy Director-General Kalay Pillay explained that the proposed amendments are designed to enhance the efficiency of the justice system. 'Much of the amendments are non-contentious in nature,' Pillay said. However, MPs were not convinced that increasing the number of judges on the JCC alone would resolve the issues within the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach pointed out the dire staffing shortages in the JSC's secretariat, which contribute to the slow pace of handling complaints. 'Unless we do a more comprehensive approach to legislation, we are not addressing the pressing issues that cause systemic delays. The proposed amendment does not deal with all the issues besetting the JSC,' she said. Echoing similar concerns, ACDP Chief Whip Steven Swart emphasised the urgency of addressing misconduct cases and the prolonged timeframes involved in resolving them. Swart called for a thorough examination of the staff shortages within the secretariat. ANC MP Oscar Mathafa highlighted findings from the lobby group Freedom Under Law, which indicated that the current systems within the JSC are ineffective and require a complete overhaul of the JSC Act. 'Does this piecemeal approach remedy all the areas of this broken system, like strengthening the secretariat and providing clearer guidelines for the appointment, promotion, and transfer of judicial officers? asked Mathafa. EFF MP Rebecca Mohlala echoed same sentiments on overhauling JSC Act, underscoring the critical need for dedicated staff to process complaints efficiently, pointing out the absence of mandatory timelines for resolving cases. 'The reason we have backlogs and cases taking long is reliance on active judges,' Mohlala said. Chairperson of the portfolio committee, Xola Nqola, recognised that capacity issues have historically hindered the JSC's function. 'It is a given fact in both the Magistrates Commission and the JSC that misconduct matters take longer than expected. An additional capacity is dearly needed in both the commissioners and the secretariat,' Nqola said. He recalled the time it took to address the matters of former judges John Hlophe and Nkola Motata, who had their own legal issues. In response, Pillay said there was room for improvement but maintained that the Judicial Matters Amendment Bill serves a specified purpose. 'It must be non-contentious, non-technical, and must bring much change and efficiency in the criminal and civil justice system. We rely on stakeholders to give inputs on what they require to be changed quickly and not require much consultation with the public because it does not affect the public in a sense, but must not have financial implicated and become a protracted process,' she said. Pillay explained that Chief Justice Mandisa Maya wrote to the ministry to identify the need to increase the number of judges and also to provide for temporary members to deal with certain backlogs. 'It was limited request, and dealt with issues of judges and did not deal with the secretariat. We don't disagree with point that having permanent secretariat may work better. 'It requires much more deliberation. It is not in a nature of an amendment that will go to the Judicial Matters Amendment Bill. It is limited in nature and deal with specific issues to increase the number of judges,' she added. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has assured that the department will assess the feedback from the committee and explore the best path forward. [email protected]
IOL News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Soweto commemorates the reburial of anti-apartheid activists Moloise and Mngomezulu
A solemn and historic handover and reburial ceremony is under way for the exhumed remains of political activists who were hanged on death row for politically related offences. Image: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development / Facebook The handover and reburial ceremony of anti-apartheid activists, Benjamin Malesella Moloise and Abraham Zakhele Mngomezulu, is under way in Soweto today after the remains of the Struggle heroes were exhumed. The political activists, who were hanged on death row for politically related offences, were buried without their families' consent in pauper graves in October 1985 and May 1989. The ceremony forms part of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development's (DoJ&CD) Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Unit's recommendations, which includes creating appropriate memorials, offering medical support, aiding affected communities, and providing educational bursaries to descendants of apartheid-era victims. Malesella Benjamin Moloise was convicted in 1983 and executed in 1985 for the 1982 assassination of a security policeman. Image: South African History Online DoJ&CD Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, presided over the solemn and historic handover and reburial ceremony held at the Orlando Communal Hall in Soweto. The department said the significant event marks an important milestone in South Africa's ongoing journey towards healing, justice, and reconciliation. 'The department, on behalf of the State, remains firmly committed to advancing justice, fostering national healing, and preserving the dignity of those who paid the highest price in the fight against apartheid,' the DoJ&CD said. 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 ✕ Between 1960 and 1990, at least 130 individuals were executed on death row for politically motivated offences. Image: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development / Facebook Between 1960 and 1990, at least 130 individuals were executed on death row for politically motivated offences. At the time, the state withheld their remains, denying families the opportunity to mourn and bury their loved ones with dignity. These individuals were interred as paupers in cemeteries around Tshwane, without the knowledge or consent of their families. Moloise, an ANC activist, was convicted in 1983 and executed in 1985 for the 1982 assassination of a security policeman. He denied any involvement, claiming his confession was made under duress. The ANC has consistently maintained his innocence. Anti-apartheid activists, Benjamin Malesella Moloise and Abraham Zakhele Mngomezulu's remains were exhumed in Tshwane. Image: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development / Facebook
The South African
22-04-2025
- The South African
Police confirm second arrest in fatal Wynberg Magistrate's Court shooting
Cape Town police have made a breakthrough in the case of the fatal shooting of a 50-year-old taxi owner inside the Wynberg Magistrate's Court earlier this month. A 24-year-old suspect was arrested over the Easter weekend. 'Western Cape Serious Violent Crimes (SVC) detectives have arrested another suspect over the weekend on charges of murder,' police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed. 'The 24-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 22 April.' Potelwa added that Shireen Matthews, the alleged gang queenpin behind the fatal 'revenge' hit, will make her next court appearance on Wednesday, 23 April, when bail proceedings are expected to begin. 'With the investigation unfolding, the team has been questioning a number of individuals, and steady progress is being made in efforts to apprehend all those responsible for the murder,' concluded Potelwa. Meanwhile, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCOD) has ordered that security be strengthened at the Wynberg Magistrate's Court in Cape Town, following a fatal shooting inside the court building earlier this month. A high-level delegation, led by DJCOD Director-General, Advocate Doc Mashabane, conducted an oversight visit to the court. The delegation also included Acting Secretary-General in the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ), Advocate Marelize Potgieter, and the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, Advocate Nicolette Bell. 'The purpose of the visit was to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any security lapses had occurred. This intervention formed part of government's response, with the objective of reviewing and strengthening security protocols at court facilities,' the department said in a statement. As part of immediate interventions, the Director-General has directed the installation of a security scanner, the tightening of access control to prosecutors' and magistrates' offices, and the enhanced vetting of court officials. Furthermore, a report on the incident will be drawn up and submitted to DJCOD Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi and Chief Justice, Mandisa Maya. 'The department reiterates its commitment to ensuring that courts remain places for the dispensation of justice and not places where crime is committed,' the department said. Meanwhile, the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) said it views the incident in a 'serious light'. 'The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, under whose delegation the Security of the Court falls, has been engaged on the enhancement of security in and around the court precinct. 'As the Head of the Judiciary in the Province, the Judge President of the Western Cape Division of the High Court wishes to convey condolences to the family of the deceased, and expresses regret and support to the Judicial Officers, officials and the public who witnessed the incident,' the OCJ said. The incident is currently under police investigation. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
