Justice Minister must shelve Traditional Courts Bill amid growing opposition

With the majority of provinces opposed to the Traditional Courts Bill, it is unthinkable that it would garner the required support of six provinces to pass through the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). 

The various provincial legislatures echoed the DA's concerns about the Traditional Courts Bill, including its perpetuation of Apartheid-era Bantustan authorities, inconsistency with the Bill of Rights and Constitution, and its negative impact on women and children.

The negotiating mandates of the nine provinces submitted to the NCOP last week saw the majority of ANC-controlled provincial legislatures join the Western Cape and the DA in rejecting the bill.

The groundswell of opposition to the controversial Traditional Courts Bill shows that the Bill clearly does not enjoy the support of the majority of South Africans, and gives greater credence to the DA's call to shelve this piece of legislation. 

The DA maintains that more research needs to be done into how to accommodate traditional leaders into a dispute resolution mechanism that is consistent with the Constitution and the Rule of Law, as they can play an important role in rural communities in particular, where access to justice is often very limited.

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe should heed the growing opposition to the Traditional Courts Bill and shelve it. 

Statement issued by Debbie Schafer MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, June 5 2012

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