In a recent inquiry to major political parties in South Africa, we delved into the pressing issue of the backlog of court judgments. This problem has been plaguing the country’s judicial system, leading to delays in delivering justice. We reached out to the ANC, DA, EFF, IFP, FF Plus, ActionSA, PA, MK Party, and RISE Mzansi for their insights on how the national government can help resolve this issue.
The responses varied among the parties, with some proposing concrete measures to address the backlog. The DA suggested implementing an electronic document management system to streamline access to information, while also advocating for the establishment of municipal courts to handle less serious matters. The IFP emphasized the importance of a well-funded National Prosecuting Authority and the development of specialized courts to tackle specific types of cases.
ActionSA took a proactive approach by committing to expanding court capacity through the construction of new facilities and the establishment of specialized courts for organized crime and corruption. They also highlighted the need for technological solutions to modernize court proceedings and expedite investigations and prosecutions.
On the other hand, the ANC, EFF, and MK Party did not provide responses to our inquiries, leaving their stance on the issue unclear. The PA suggested focusing on reducing crime rates to alleviate the courts’ workload, implementing online case processing, and cracking down on delaying tactics to expedite case resolutions.
RISE Mzansi underscored the need for an integrated IT system for case tracking, specialized courts for priority crimes, and measures to deter delaying tactics by defendants’ legal counsel.
Overall, the consensus among the political parties is that addressing the backlog of court judgments requires a multi-faceted approach, including technological advancements, increased court capacity, and stricter measures to expedite case resolutions. By implementing these proposed solutions, the national government can play a pivotal role in ensuring timely delivery of justice in South Africa.
