Today the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr. Andries Nel will conduct an inspection tour of the newly upgraded facilities at the Athlone Magistrate's court. He will thereafter attend the maintenance Imbizo (Operation Isondlo) which will be held at New Life Community Church in Malibu Village, Bluedowns. This is done in an effort to take stock of the impact of the campaigns and interventions that have been introduced by government in enhancing access to justice for all.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development took a decision in 2008/9 financial year to upgrade the infrastructure of its facilities in a number of areas and sites identified across the country. For this particular project, funds in the amount of R13 million were set aside for repairs and renovations of the Athlone Magistrate's court. An investment of this nature is significant in a number of ways. Government recognizes the importance of providing services to the public at facilities that must uphold certain minimum standards from a safety and security point of view, as well as the need to ensure that our facilities are accessible to everyone in all practical ways. In addition, improvements to these facilities will enhance the efficiency with which we must dispense services. This will go a long way in bolstering public confidence in the administration of justice.
The Deputy Minister will also pay his respects by laying a wreath at the statues of Robert Waterwitch and Coline Williams. The two anti-apartheid activists were members of Umkhonto we Sizwe who were killed at the Athlone Magistrate's court on 23 July 1989 while protesting against the exclusion of the black people from participating in the tricameral parliamentary elections.
The improved infrastructure now makes provision for wheelchair access with dedicated ramps installed in and around the building to afford disabled people full access to the cash hall, courts and other areas.
At the Imbizo, the Deputy Minister will have an opportunity to interact with the community members directly and get feedback firsthand on how the services have improved. This confirms government commitment to continuous interaction with the communities in a collaborative effort aimed at improving the quality of life of the people.
Maintenance is one such service which the department has identified as critical and which every effort must be made to ensure that it is improved.
Operation Isondlo was a campaign introduced by the then Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development in 2005. The objective of the operation is to improve the functioning of the maintenance system by decreasing case backlogs, enforcing the provisions of the Maintenance Act, building capacity at the courts and educating the public.
In 2006 the Department contracted three service providers to assist with tracing untraced beneficiaries and defaulters. A total of 320 beneficiaries and 92 defaulters were traced through this initiative.
In accordance with the provisions of the Maintenance Act, thirteen (13) maintenance investigators were employed in the department from 2005 and additional three (3) investigators were appointed especially for the Western Cape region this financial year. Their work includes obtaining documentary evidence for the courts. Documents such as salary advice, employment number (persal number in the case of government officials), bank account details and confirmation of physical addresses play a significant role when maintenance disputes have to be resolved by the courts. They also serve court papers on the relevant parties.
In 2010, 281 beneficiaries were traced through roadblocks. During the road blocks scores of defaulters were arrested. This sent out a message to defaulters on the run that through collaborative efforts with our partners in law enforcement, we were fast catching up with them. The effect was that a significant number of other defaulters came forward and owned up to their responsibilities.