Chairperson, the UCDP highlights the following challenges to the department: The long processing of cases and appeals that can drag on for over three years; and the light sentences that are given for serious offences - in most cases due to a lack of evidence. Coupled with this problem is the issue of the lack of uniformity in our courts. The same case can be dealt with in one way in court A and a different result may be reached in court B. This could be the result of the problem regarding the quality of the judges. Maybe it is due to us not having well-qualified judges to deal with cases of such a nature. We could also be looking into the wrong selection of the presiding officers at the time.
Corruption in the justice system is another concern. I would like to highlight the difference in the justice system of South Africa, which is totally different from that of developed countries. We are, however, willing to be at the same threshold with those countries. For example, in South Africa, the responsibility for making a decision lies solely with the judge, whereas in some other countries the judges use the expertise of other experienced people to reach a verdict, like having a jury, as you have seen in the USA and other countries. The other challenge is the shortage of well-qualified judges to make an effective judicial system.
Long distances travelled by convicts to reach the courts pose a danger to police officers. They often get killed or injured when convicts escape and this poses a danger to society, as some of them are hardened criminals like Ananias Mathe. Security has to be beefed up.
The UCDP is worried about the language used in courts. It presents problems for community members and the poor, who are unable to defend themselves against the rich in South Africa. We would, however, like to support the Budget for the justice system in South Africa. I thank you. [Applause.]