Mogoeng hopeful for judiciary’s future
The judiciary needs to ensure its independence from the state in a landscape which will be "changed significantly" in next 10 years.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng was the keynote speaker at the the Association of Regional Magistrates of Southern Africa (Armsa) 20th birthday celebration on Friday, at the Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre.
Mogoeng highlighted several shortfalls within the judiciary to effectively deliver services to the people of South Africa, but remained hopeful for the future.
“We ought to be worried when there is instability within the executive; we also ought to be worried when there is a measure of instability within the legislative arm of the law,” said Mogoeng.
“But we ought to be terrified and deeply concerned when the judiciary does not appear to be what is was when it was [first] established.
“When there is a possibility, however remote, that the judiciary might be manipulated, when there is a possibility however remote that the independence of the judiciary is compromised, or there is some master plan to compromise it, then we have to be vigilant …”
Mogoeng said South Africa’s judicial landscape must not be compromised as it has been in some African countries.
He urged judicial officers to stay true to the institution and work together to enhance and discuss issues plaguing the judiciary.
He hopes these discussions will result in suggestions to enhance the judicial landscape in the country by giving government suggestions of possible reforms to be implemented.
Mogoeng said the judiciary needs more funding from government to operate more effectively.
“One thing we should never justifiably be accused of is the lack of a clear vision in relation to what is it that needs to be done to turn the situation around,” said Mogoeng.
“… Something needs to be done, I don’t know how, but I’m confident that at some point something will be done.
“Let us not allow ourselves to be to despondent, we have done well.”
Delize Smith (president of the Association of Regional Magistrates of Southern Africa (Armsa) with the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, John Jeffery.
Delize Smith (president of the Association of Regional Magistrates of Southern Africa (Armsa) with the Deputy Minister of justice and Constitutional Development, John Jeffery.
Benoni Regional Court Magistrate Ian Cox pictured with his colleague Mariette Louw, who presides in a Pretoria court.
Benoni Regional Court Magistrate Ian Cox pictured with his colleague Mariette Louw, who presides in a Pretoria court.
