Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola says the establishment of Specialised Commercial Crimes courts will bolster efforts to fight corruption and ensure speedy prosecution of corruption-related cases.
Lamola was speaking during the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday morning.
Video | JCPS Cluster Post SONA 2022 Media Briefing
The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services has established two such courts in Mthatha and East London in the Eastern Cape.
Courts have also been established in provinces where they did not exist before, including in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and the North West.
“So when we have increased the capacity of these courts it means that we can be able to prioritise, in terms of the court roll, the corruption matters that will emanate from the various law enforcement agencies, the Hawks, the NPA, and all other places where corruption matters may emanate from. These will enable that they are prioritised and handled expeditiously,” says Lamola.
JCPS Cluster on the establishment of additional courts:
“The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services has established two SCCCs in Mthatha and East London in the Eastern Cape to bolster efforts to fight against corruption. Two more SCCCs in Palm Ridge and Pretoria North in Gauteng have also been enhanced to deal swiftly with corruption. These courts are in line with the commitment made by President Ramaphosa to the National Council of Provinces when he responded to questions pertaining to COVID-19 corruption/procurement irregularities.
The department has also directed the DoJCD to establish new SCCCs to give effect to the commitment made by the President. To date, SCCCs have been established in provinces where they did not exist before, namely Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and North West,” notes the Cluster in a statement.
