The latest Annual Judiciary Report, presented virtually on Monday, shows a significant backlog of cases in which judgments have been outstanding for more than six months.
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya reported that, as of November 1, the Constitutional Court alone had 13 matters in which judgment had been reserved beyond the six-month threshold. Among these is the Economic Freedom Fighters’ challenge to the rationality of the National Assembly’s decision on December 13, 2022, not to adopt the Section 89 independent panel report into the Phala Phala saga. The matter was heard a year ago but remains unresolved.
Maya acknowledged that delays in reserved judgments continue to undermine confidence in the Judiciary. She noted that while the courts strive for efficiency, the pressures on the system have made timely delivery increasingly difficult.
She emphasised that the Judiciary understands the frustration felt by litigants and the broader public when cases remain undecided for extended periods, creating uncertainty in the law.
“The Judiciary is acutely aware that judgments are not always delivered within the prescribed time and that when this occurs, it unfortunately results in uncertainty in the law and any resultant impatience by litigants and interest groups is fully understandable,” she said during the presentation.
Despite the challenges, Maya reiterated that addressing the backlog remains a priority. She assured the public that judges across the country are working to finalise all outstanding matters as swiftly as possible.
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
