Bid to prevent invalid trials

2003-06-10 08:49

Sonja Carstens

Johannesburg - The justice department will act swiftly to create additional posts for magistrates to prevent trials being declared invalid if amendments dealing with the appointment of temporary magistrates are not passed in time.

Justice Minister Dr Penuell Maduna's spokesperson Paul Setsetse said here on Monday the posts would be created as an emergency measure.

"The department will do everything in its power to prevent trials from being restarted and delaying the completion of cases."

If amendments to Section 9 (4) of the Magistrates Courts Act are not approved by midnight on June 11, the appointment of all temporary magistrates not serving in existing posts would be unconstitutional.

- Beeld