Justice Park move hangs in the balance
The Port Shepstone Magistrate's Court is in a shocking condition and falling apart and is in desperate need of maintenance.
They old saying – out with the old, in with the new – is not entirely unfolding for staff at Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court.
The current building is falling apart from lack of maintenance and it appears that the multi-million rand Port Shepstone Justice Park has now become an expensive ‘white elephant’.
The complex has been under construction since 2014, and is yet to be fully completed despite promises from the Department of Public Works to open the facility.
At a cost of more than R285-million, the building was originally scheduled for completion in 2016.
Chairman of the Public Service Association for prosecutors, Senior State Prosecutor Rubeun Judnarain said they have been informed that they would be moving in July this year to Justice Park. He questioned whether this would take place? As the move never took place as promised in March this year.
After Ramsgate Magistrate’s Court closed, all the old beautiful furniture was moved to the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court and some has been left out in the rain and all over the place. This also meant the number of state prosecutors has climbed to 25 in cramped working conditions.
The Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court is in a shocking condition and falling apart and is in desperate need of maintenance. The unbearable stench of the toilets makes one’s stomach churn.
The big issue is parking as the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court is now dealing with an influx of cases from Hibberdene to Ramsgate/Margate areas.
Spokesman Thami Mchunu of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure said the new project was delayed because of the termination of the main contractor.
“Work has resumed on site however the Department of Justice has formally requested for new additions to the project. This request is currently following departmental processes and once these processes are finalised, we will be in a position to confirm the completion date,” he said.
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