8. The funds that the Department has requested for additional capacity are substantial - more than R1.2 billion over the medium term expenditure period. The Committee notes that the Department suggested that in light of budget pressures it may be necessary to to re- evaluate the number and/or timeframes for the appointment of judges and magistrates. The Committee is dismayed that both the NPA and LASA have indicated that they are not in a position to appoint additional prosecutors and legal aid practitioners going forward. The NPA told the Committee that it is unable to provide prosecutors for new courts. LASA is, in in fact, looking at having to reduce its legal aid capacity to service the courts and its clients to absorb the proposed budget cuts. It is also unable to service new courts without the necessary budget without impacting on court performance. In the Committee's view, without provision for additional capacity, the benefits of appointing more judges and magistrates for the administration of justice is likely to be undermined.