ActionSA Requests Magistrates Commission Investigation Into Potential Corrupt Conduct at Lenasia, Kliptown and Protea Courts
Dereleen James MP
ActionSA Member of Parliament
ActionSA has written to the Magistrates Commission requesting an urgent investigation into the potentially nefarious conduct of several courtrooms at the Lenasia, Kliptown, and Protea Courts in Johannesburg.
Our request follows the emergence of a troubling pattern involving repeat offenders, some with as many as 10 prior arrests for similar and other violent crimes, who are being released with ease from the very same court rooms. This situation is especially concerning in light of the ongoing spate of Uber hijackings in surrounding areas, where apprehended suspects are being released almost immediately from these courts.
ActionSA has engaged with both the NPA and SAPS and has been informed that these courts have been flagged for serious concerns regarding the conduct of magistrates, prosecutors, and detectives. We share these concerns, which have since been escalated to the Minister of Justice’s office.
Amid growing appeals from residents of Eldorado Park and communities across South Africa about the escalating crime situation, there can be no room for failures in our criminal justice system, which is already severely strained by the under resourcing of both the police and, in particular, all three of the mentioned courts.
ActionSA will continue to monitor this matter closely to ensure that the Magistrates Commission responds to our request for a probe with the urgency it deserves.
ActionSA Requests Magistrates Commission Investigation Into Potential Corrupt Conduct at Lenasia, Kliptown and Protea Courts
ActionSA has written to the Magistrates Commission requesting an urgent investigation into the potentially nefarious conduct of several courtrooms at the Lenasia, Kliptown, and Protea Courts in Johannesburg.
Our request follows the emergence of a troubling pattern involving repeat offenders, some with as many as 10 prior arrests for similar and other violent crimes, who are being released with ease from the very same court rooms. This situation is especially concerning in light of the ongoing spate of Uber hijackings in surrounding areas, where apprehended suspects are being released almost immediately from these courts.
ActionSA has engaged with both the NPA and SAPS and has been informed that these courts have been flagged for serious concerns regarding the conduct of magistrates, prosecutors, and detectives. We share these concerns, which have since been escalated to the Minister of Justice’s office.
Amid growing appeals from residents of Eldorado Park and communities across South Africa about the escalating crime situation, there can be no room for failures in our criminal justice system, which is already severely strained by the under resourcing of both the police and, in particular, all three of the mentioned courts.
ActionSA will continue to monitor this matter closely to ensure that the Magistrates Commission responds to our request for a probe with the urgency it deserves.