UDiCiAr› Com’lEtED ͳͶ ͻͷͲ CriminAl CAsEs DurinG ʹͲʹͳȀʹʹ
MBABANE – The Judiciary, during the year 2021/22, completed 14 950 criminal cases.
This is detailed under the Ministry of Justice and ConstitutionalAffairs’annual performance report, which indicates that out of 14 631 cases registered in the year under review, and 14 914 from the last quarter, 14 950 cases were completed.
In terms of civil cases, 4 198 were registered and 7 706 from the last quarter, resulting in 5 283 being completed. Out of 400 registered appeals, 323 were completed while 17 882 reviewed cases were completed.
Prosecuted
The report further indicated that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Office continued with its mandate and prosecuted crimes on behalf of the King, openly without fear or favour and in an efficient and impartial manner, and with strict adherence to requirements of the law. The DPP has 10 specialised units to focus on and keep up with new criminal trends.
“Also, the ministry can disclose that it is in a bid to develop an Electronic Case Management System that will capture, track and manage a court case throughout its lifecycle. This system will be utilized by other stakeholders which include: The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), the Judiciary, HMCS, DPP’s Office, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration (CHRPA) and the Attorney General’s Office. The system will integrate seamlessly within the government’s network,” reads in part the report.
The ministry further compiled a report and presentation to Cabinet on the overlapping mandates between theACC and CHRPA. The ministry previously identified the overlap of mandates between theACC and CHRPA, stating that both commissions were assigned similar and overlapping mandates in relation to dealing with corruption.
Efficiency
“This overlap has created some challenges and has contributed to hindering the efficiency of the commissions in the execution of their mandates. To mitigate this challenge, the ministry has intervened by establishing a task team with specific terms of reference to assist the country in finding sustainable and cost-effective solutions that will address the issue of overlapping mandates of the two commissions,” stated Minister of Justice Pholile Shakantu in her preamble before Senate.
The AG’s Office was reported to have worked diligently to fulfill its mandate for the period under review. The litigation section received 660 new or file cases,
completed 177 and the remainder are pending cases in different court proceeds awaiting hearing dates and judgments. Files received from courts including traditional structures were 546 in total.
The Commission of Human Rights and Administration received 265 in the year 2021/22, which can be broken down to four investigations done from the commission’s own accord; 76 complaints were referred to other agencies; 127 legal opinions or advice was offered; 27 complaints were investigated, finalised and closed while 51 complaints are still under investigation.
Other accomplishments by the commission include presenting a report on the June 2021 civil unrest. The report further highlighted that His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) had continued to fulfill its obligation wherein inmates enrolled in several programmes as means to facilitate their rehabilitation and enhanced social reintegration. These programmes include formal and non-formal education, vocational skills, psychosocial support and farming.
The ministry stated that 52 offenders were trained on livestock farming, 137 inmates were trained in different trade skills under the industries section and 145 inmates were trained in different crop production skills.