Media Statements

Judicial Officers are the Faces of Justice

27 July 2019

The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr. Ronald Lamola addressed the Judicial Officers Association of South Africa Annual General Meeting held in Kempton on the 27th July 2019.

The Association has called for a symposium which will provide an opportunity for Judicial Officers of all ranks to develop a nuanced perspective of the single judiciary concept.

The term “single judiciary” commonly refers to a process through which the magistrates’ courts and magistrates are integrated to form part of a unified court system. This is what is envisaged in our Constitution. This unification is informed by the history of the judicial system which provided for a hybrid system in terms which judges enjoyed a larger degree of independence, compared to the magistrates.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Ronald Lamola said-“ we welcome any symposium or colloquium or whatever platform necessary that can enable deeper reflections on the respective responsibilities of each of the three arms of the State. Such dialogues can only help to strengthen the continued evolution of our jurisprudence to reflect the text and spirit of the Constitution.”

As a country we have made significant strides towards the realisation of judicial authority as independent expression of our Constitutional democracy through the enactment of the Superior Court Act, the envisioned Lower Court Bill which will assist in further developing judicial system.

“The importance of magistrates over the past 25 years of our democracy has been self-evident  that they are at the coalface of our society. They bring about change in our society, uphold the values of our Constitution and making justice a reality for our people.”- said the Minister Lamola.

Issued by the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services

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