Sponsored by USAID, Regional Court Magistrates learn to apply appropriate new sentencing measures

South Africa’s ability to prosecute criminals and expedite justice will become even stronger as Regional Court Magistrates are empowered by law to render stiff new verdicts for certain types of offenses.  Until now, Regional Court Magistrates had to refer criminals convicted of raping children under age 16, premeditated murders, armed robberies and hijackers to High Courts for sentencing.  Regional Court Magistrates can now impose life sentences on these offenders, speeding up trials and avoiding secondary victimization for crime survivors. 

A two-day conference was held November 16 and 17 in Boksburg—arranged by the Association of Regional Court Magistrates of Southern Africa (ARMSA), sponsored by USAID—to help Regional Court Magistrates learn how to apply the new sentencing legislation.  The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate J. H. De Lange, opened the conference attended by most of the country’s Regional Court Magistrates.     

There are nearly 1850 Magistrates in South Africa and 307 of those are Regional Court Magistrates who preside in approximately 80% of all criminal cases, including rape, murder and robbery.  This conference will sensitize and educate a majority of these Regional Court Magistrates to better understand all legal considerations before imposing appropriate sentences that fit the crime. 

Judicial officers also need to keep abreast as Parliament enacts new legislation, including the following three bills passed recently by the National Assembly: 

1)  Children’s Amendment Bill
2)  Sexual Offenses Bill
3)  Criminal Law Sentencing Bill 

ARMSA President, Adriaan Bekker, said, “The conference aims to equip Regional Court Magistrates to implement these significant pieces of legislation.” 

Financial assistance to host this conference was provided by USAID Southern Africa through the Criminal Justice Strengthening Program in partnership with the South African Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Business Against Crime South Africa and ARMSA.
USAID’s Democracy and Governance Team Leader, Ms. Katherine Liesegang, said, “This conference supports Regional Court Magistrates to administer justice prudently, efficiently and fairly, using new groundbreaking legislation.”
USAID assistance to South Africa since 1994 has included jobs creation, housing development, education, democracy and good governance training and HIV and AIDS prevention, care and support.

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Further information is available from Adriaan Bekker, ARMSA:  (083) 280-5234
USAID has provided economic and humanitarian assistance from the American people worldwide for nearly 50 years