Justice Minister doesn’t address court’s dilapidated state during recent visit

MBOMBELA –  The employees of the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court were left disgruntled after their scheduled meeting with justice minister Adv Micheal Masutha, didn’t take place for the second year in a row. He did, however, make himself available for a few selfies with those who were interested.

Masutha, the minister of justice and correctional services, was scheduled to visit the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court last Monday. The purpose of the meeting, according to a press release issued by the department, was an inspection into the court’s operational systems. The provision of justice services to the public by the departmental staff, was also on the list. “His visit also seeks to identify infrastructural and all other challenges the staff is faced with in executing its work,” the statement read.

Although the department’s press release promised Masutha’s arrival at 13:00, the minister had still not arrived by 15:30. While waiting, the court’s personnel members recalled that his promise to meet with them in 2014 never materialised. Legal practitioners complained that they couldn’t make use of the court’s services during this time.

He finally arrived half an hour before the court closed its doors. Masutha addressed the media about four court buildings that will be built and improved. They are the Lothair, White River and Evander Magistrate’s Courts and the Mpumalanga High Court. He posed for a few photos and was available for those who wanted to take a selfie with him. He then escorted the media to a viewing of the Mpumalanga High Court building’s construction site.

Lowvelder requested an explanation for the minister’s failure to address his employees for the second year in a row. Comment was requested on the dire state of the court building. This includes a dilapidated ceiling, cracks in the walls and a lift that seldom works.

At time of going to print, the department had not yet replied.