KEY POINTS
- Verulam Magistrates Court in Durban faces major repairs.
- The Department of Justice is working to address court infrastructure issues.
- The PSA has raised concerns about the state of several other courts.
An unannounced inspection of courts across KwaZulu-Natal by members of Parliament and the Public Servants Association (PSA) has uncovered the poor condition of several justice facilities.
The inspections, conducted earlier this week, revealed a dire state of neglect in many of the courts, with the Verulam Magistrates Court in Durban being particularly problematic.
Verulam court urgently needs R70 million for repairs
During their visit to Durban, members of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development found the Verulam Magistrates Court in appalling condition.
Xola Nqola, chairperson of the committee, described the building as crumbling and noted that some courtrooms were no longer usable due to falling ceilings, moldy carpets, and cracked walls.
According to Nqola, some areas of the court had been condemned by the Department of Labour for being unsafe.
The court urgently needs R70 million ($3.8 million) for renovations. The committee has suggested that court activities be relocated to mobile facilities until repairs are completed.
Nqola stated that the government had already allocated funds for repairs. However, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) had not responded to requests for updates.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) acknowledged the challenge. Spokesperson Terrence Manase explained that the government was working on plans to address the infrastructure crisis.
Conditions at other South African courts also raise concerns
The PSA also voiced concerns over the state of other courts across the country. According to Earnest Mkhize, PSA national chairperson, the Verulam Magistrates Court has been in disrepair for over a decade.
According to IOL, he criticized the government’s inaction despite acknowledging the budget for renovations.
During his inspection, Mkhize noted severe leaks, decaying carpets, and a deteriorating roof.
Mkhize also described conditions at several other courts, including Dundee, Pietermaritzburg, and Newcastle.
These courts suffer from structural issues, leaking roofs, and malfunctioning computers and air conditioning.
Members of the Portfolio Committee echoed Mkhize’s remarks. They visited other courts in KwaZulu-Natal and found similarly concerning conditions.
The committee has called for urgent intervention to address the court infrastructure crisis.
