Cape Town — Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola, has appointed a panel of experts made up of nine judges, magistrates and law professors to repeal the outdated Apartheid-era Criminal Procedures Act 51 of 1977.
The Advisory Committee on Criminal Procedure Reform Investigation (CPR Investigation) has been formed by Lamola in terms of Section 7A(1)(b)(ii) of the South African Law Reform Commission Act, 1973 (Act 19 of 1973), IOL reported.
It was also reported that Police Minister, Bheki Cele, had called for a full overhaul of the Criminal Procedures Act, saying it was outdated and failed to protect victims of crime or law enforcement officials.
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The CPR investigation features a mix of University professors, retired judges, and attorneys from all over the country and Lamola said the appointment were immediate and for the duration of the CPR investigation, The Department of Justice said.
“Together, the appointed members bring a remarkable blend of expertise and skills across the various thematic areas of the criminal justice value chain—be it pre-trial, trial, or post-trial—cross-cutting thematic areas.”
“Their contribution is critical to the overall improvement of the system, from crime reporting to investigation, arrest, prosecution, adjudication, legal representation, sentencing, and rehabilitation and a system which is victim oriented” Lamola reiterated.
It is critical to government’s quest to creating an accessible, effective, and modern criminal justice system that ensures fair and just resolution of criminal infringements for accused persons and victims of crime alike. The investigation will culminate in a new act that will repeal the outdated CPA,” said Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
