Minister’s planned revision of criminal justice system a desperate attempt to ensure ANC’s political survival
19 December 2023
Minister Ronald Lamola's recent announcement that he wants to reform the entire criminal procedure and criminal justice system in South Africa is a reckless and desperate attempt by the ANC government to ensure its political survival, even though it might spell disaster and cause immeasurable damage to judicature in South Africa.
Merely appointing an advisory committee consisting of academics and legal practitioners, assisted by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the police and Legal Aid South Africa, cannot replace the complex and functioning legislation put in place over a long time.
Criminal law and criminal procedure developed over many years in South Africa, is amended from time to time and consists of more than 350 sections, each addressing a specific legal aspect, which has been thoroughly researched and on which many theses have been published over the years.
Parliament is, however, frequently confronted with rash legislative amendments which are referred back to committees again and again, and often also lead to expensive and drawn-out Constitutional Court cases.