MORE than 14 years after much-needed improvements were first given the green light, the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court is yet to be upgraded.
Plans to upgrade this facility – which poses a health and safety hazard to court personnel, as well as the general public – have been dragging on since 2006.
The building falls under the National Department of Public works.
“I was shocked at its dilapidated state,” says Samantha Graham-Maré, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, who recently conducted an oversight inspection at the court.
She was joined by Sarah Baartman District Municipality Councillor, Henni Britz.
“The appalling conditions at the court raise serious concerns around safety and security,” says Graham-Maré. “There is almost no security to speak of and metal detectors are not being used.
“Dangerous weapons have been brought onto the premises by the public in the past.”
According to her, up to 60 suspects are kept in smallholding cells and the open toilets provided are regularly out of order.
There is furthermore a shortage of toilet facilities for the public and staff.
“There are no toilets for women visiting the court, and only one for the more than 20 female staff members,” she says.
Other concerns include boxes of important paperwork that are being stored in a building on the premises, no safe and designated area for children who need to testify and no recorder to record interviews.
The building is also not disability friendly and wheelchair-bound residents need to be carried up the stairs to the entrance of the court building.
“This is not an acceptable professional environment. The lives of magistrates, public prosecutors and court personnel are endangered on a daily basis,” says Graham-Maré.
“Upgrades approved long after those meant for the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court, have already been executed at the magistrates’ courts in Hankey, Patensie and Joubertina.”
Graham-Maré will now table the necessary questions in Parliament, as well as direct questions to the Acting Director General of the Department of Public Works, Patricia de Lille.
