6 February 2006

South Africa's criminal justice system will receive a major boost this year as the government focuses on integrating law enforcement operations in priority areas.

This move is expected to reduce the number of illegal firearms in society, ensure better processing of firearm licence applications, and enable the authorities to clamp down further on drug trafficking and substance abuse.

Delivering his State of the Nation address at the opening of Parliament in Cape Town on Friday, Mbeki said the government was committed to implementing social crime prevention measures.

Initiatives
He said that, following the recommendations of the Jali Commission, the courts' case-load management would be improved, four additional correctional facilities would be built, and the number of children in custody would be reduced.

"Other important matters include the post Truth and Reconciliation Commission management of cases pertaining to conflicts of the past, and the processing of legislation on matters pertaining to the rationalisation of our courts," Mbeki said.

Last week, the National Prosecuting Authority announced that it had five "prosecutable cases" and 15 cases under investigation involving apartheid-era perpetrators of gross human rights violations.

Mbeki also said the government would also consider the recommendations of the Khampepe Commission, which is to recommend to the President whether to locate the Directorate of Special Operations (Scorpions) within the National Prosecuting Authority or move it to the South African Police Service.

Corruption
The government would also remain focused on the fight against crime in its own ranks and society at large, Mbeki said.

"We will continue to intensify our offensive on this front, fully aware of the fact that much that happens in our society encourages the entrenchment of a value system based on personal acquisition of wealth by all means and at all cost," he said.

SouthAfrica.info reporter and BuaNews

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