R300m court facility a first for Plett

A R300-MILLION investment by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will see Plettenberg Bay boast a fully-fledged court for the first time.

Western Cape department head Advocate Hishaam Mohamed made the announcement during a visit to the new court construction site in New Horizons yesterday.

It forms part of a series of investments in the Western Cape by the department worth about R1-billion, including new court buildings, and upgrades, expansions and repairs to existing court infrastructure.

Mohamed said the primary driver behind the decision to invest in Plett was to ensure that all residents had access to justice.

“The town only has a magistrate’s court to deal with petty crimes,” he said.

“For any serious cases or civil matters, the nearest court is in Knysna, about 30km away.

“The issue is compounded by the fact that there is no good public transport system between the two towns.”

Mohamed said another motivator for the investment was the fact that the province had the heaviest case load on its district court rolls.

“Currently, there are 45 000 cases,” he said.

“The only other province that comes near this is Gauteng, with 36 000 cases.

“It is very worrisome, as only 11.5% of the total population lives in the Western Cape.

“The investment is geared to address this.”

The site, just off the N2 in New Horizons, was identified and handed over for construction in October.

The development is being done in conjunction with the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and is expected to be completed by the end of next year. It will include 10

courtrooms – two sexual offences courtrooms, four criminal, two regional and two family courtrooms, as well a civil court and an equality court.

“The building will feature state-of-the-art security systems, a secure accused off-loading area leading to the courtrooms, offices for magistrates and prosecutors, child maintenance and domestic violence facilities, ample public waiting areas and parking facilities,” Mohamed said.

It would also include 17 cells for the accused.

“The construction of the new building is progressing well and is on track,” he said.

“The success of the project to date is underpinned by ensuring that local stakeholders have been able to take part meaningfully and there is regular communication with communities, as well as ensuring previously disadvantaged individuals are benefiting through job creation.”

About 15% of the project had already been completed.

“Foundation pillars have been laid and are being readied for the first level of courtrooms,” Mahomed said.

The energy-efficient facility will consist of three levels.