MEDIA ADVISORY

First Community Court Handed Over to South African Government
Will help address court backlog in Limpopo Province

WHAT: The first of six USAID-funded community courts will be formally handed-over for South African government management
                                                                                          
WHERE: Mankweng Magistrate Court

WHEN:  May 22, 2007
10h45 for 11h00 (until 13h30)

SUMMARY:      The U.S. Agency for International Development—USAID—is supporting the South African Government’s efforts to address the staggering criminal case backlog by establishing six well-equipped courts within targeted communities that are closer to the scenes of crime. 

The Community Court provides timely judicial services to reduce case backlogs in the system while promoting community participation.These Courts ease unmanageable caseloads because accused criminals can be arrested, tried and a ruling delivered generally within 24 hours through local-level court services.  Broader socio-economic issues faced by the community are taken into account in court rulings to ensure that justice is served for everyone.

Mankweng Community Court in Limpopo Province will be the first Court to be formally handed over for South African Government management on May 22, 2007.  USAID has provided the mobile office unit, services of a court interpreter and public awareness campaigns. The other five Community Courts are in the Western Cape (Cape Town, Fezeka, Wynberg) and KwaZulu-Natal (Point and KwaMashu). 

All media welcome

For further information please contact Charles Makgamatha at: (015) 267-0305
or (083) 455-8382