High Court in crisis spotlight

A HIGH-LEVEL oversight visit by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mamoloko Kubayi, exposed several pressing challenges at the Polokwane High Court and the Master’s Office, raising serious concerns about service delivery and working conditions in the city’s justice system.

- KOKETŠO SEKHWELA

The minister's visit, part of a broader national assessment of departmental institutions, gave members of the media rare insight into the administrative hurdles hampering access to justice in the province.

Among the key issues identified were the lack of adequate infrastructure for vulnerable witnesses, staffing shortages, outdated filing systems and poor working conditions. One of the most pressing concerns emerged at the children’s court, where Kubayi found the facilities lacking in both equipment and infrastructure necessary to protect minor witnesses during testimony.

This has raised alarms among child protection organisations, particularly Lentswe Laka Foundation’s Bridget Ramokone, who is currently involved in high-profile cases involving child victims of violent crimes.