NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO.: 21

DATE OF QUESTION: 27 FEBRUARY 2012

21. Mr Z Mlenzana (COPE-EC) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

(1) Whether his department has made an effort to increase the number of (a) women judges on the bench and (b) African women in the entire judiciary system; if not, why not; if so, what are the proportional changes experienced in each case during the period 1 January 2009 up to 31 December 2011;

(2) whether he will provide a breakdown of the total (a) number and (b) percentages in the changes experienced; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?     

CO79E

REPLY:-

(1)&(2)  Yes, the details relating to Judges are as follows:

There were 42 women judges appointed to the bench on 1 January 2009.   Thereafter the number has increased to 65 women judges on 31 December 2011.  During this period some of the women judges retired, passed away, or were appointed in higher positions.  Therefore, the statistics regarding total women judges are presently as follows:

The details relating to Magistrates, are as follows:

There were 628 women magistrates appointed to the bench on 1 January 2009.   Thereafter the number has increased to 727 women magistrates on 31 December 2011.  During this period some of the women magistrates retired, passed away, or were appointed in higher positions.  Therefore, the statistics regarding total women magistrates are as follows:

Issued by Parliament, March 8 2012

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