Plettenburg Bay Magistrate Court Preview
On the 15th of May 2017, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr John Jeffery attended the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate Court, showcasing the current developments.
The construction of the court is a part of the Department’s efforts to make justice more accessible to all people.
This state of the art court, will serve over 30 000 people and is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.
Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court
- The construction of the new R300-million court building has been underway since 2015.
- The Court would include ten (10) court rooms including two (2) sexual offences courtrooms, four (4) criminal, two (2) regional and two (2) family courtrooms as well a civil and an equality court.
- The Sexual Offences Courts provides specialised victim-support services to improve the effectiveness of sexual offences matters and improves the turnaround time of conviction rates. The new model of Sexual Offences Court aims to improve the conviction rates of the sexual crimes and decrease the turnaround time from the date of report to the police to the finalisation of the case.
- The building will feature state-of- the-art security systems; a secure accused off-loading area leading to the courtrooms, offices for magistrates and prosecutors, child maintenance and domestic violence facilities, ample public waiting areas and parking facilities.
- The court building would also include 17 cells for accused persons.
- The construction of the court is already contributing in reducing the levels of unemployment as the construction company involved in the project has so far employed more than 270 residents.
- The construction company also procured materials from suppliers in the area.
The importance of the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate
- It has been noted that Plettenburg Bay has a rapidly growing population therefore they need their own Magistrate that will service them.
- South African Police Service (SAPS) has also reported an increase in crime in Plettenburg Bay.
- The community have to travel 30km to Knysna Magistrate Court to access justice services.
- This Court will house district and regional courts. Family court and civil court facilities will be provided.
Masizame Children’s Shelter and The Green Hearts were in attendance in support of the new children’s court and Child Protection Week.
Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Tour Gallery
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