According to the Parliament's communication officer, Yoliswa Landu, the committee concluded one of the four-day oversight programmes by visiting the Mahikeng High Court on Thursday, where they met with Judge President Ronald Hendricks to conduct a walkabout at the court. 

Landu said the chairperson of the committee, Bulelani Magwanishe, explained that the oversight visit was informed by numerous complaints last year about the state of various courts and correctional centres. 

In 2019, the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court, housed at the PC Pelser Building, sparked outrage from the opposition parties in the area over inadequate maintenance. Employees of the Labour Department, housed in the same building as the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court, were evacuated from the building in 2017 citing safety and unfavourable working conditions.  

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Landu added that the committee also raised concerns about the court’s paper-based record system. It cautioned it to be a risky and unreliable system to store files, particularly when files are misplaced. 

Meanwhile, Judge President Hendricks informed the committee that plans are under way to digitise the record-filing system.

“At the Molopo Regional Court, the committee was met by Acting Regional Court President Judge Winnie Malane, who pointed out that infrastructure challenges are one of the court’s primary concerns. The committee informed the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure that the court needs serious attention, as it is unacceptable that the court is inaccessible to people living with disabilities. Furthermore, the children’s waiting room needs immediate attention. Another concern for the committee is that detainees walk past a courtroom and in front of witnesses. This is unacceptable and must be corrected, as it might pose a risk to victims,” she stated.

According to Landu, the committee also heard about various challenges, including water shortages due to alkaline-clogged water pipes faced by Rooigrond Correctional Services. The proposed solution was the completion of a water purification plant.

"Three contractors were sourced to address the water supply issues, however, their services had to be terminated due to non-delivery. The committee advised the Department of Correctional Services to become more self-sufficient in dealing with its challenges that arise from the slow pace of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in dealing with the various issues," she concluded.

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