Community Safety
(1) (a) What is the number of GBV cases that were monitored by Court Watching Brief Programme in (i) 2019, (ii) 2020, (iii) 2021 and (iv) 2022 to date and (b) of these, (i) how many were dismissed and thrown out of court and (ii) how many were reinstated and successfully concluded because of the intervention of the programme;
(2) (a) what is the number of staff members who are employed in the Court Watching Brief Programme and (b) what are their (i) qualifications and (ii) salary ranges;
(3) what is the number of Court Watching Brief Programme personnel designated to monitor GBV and femicide cases?
[1] [a] [i] 97 cases [2019]
[ii] 75 cases [2020]
[iii] 88 cases [2021]
[iv] 13 cases [2022 to date]
[b] [i] The Court Watching Brief’s focus is to monitor all cases struck off the roll. In total, 273 offences under GBV and Femicide, as reflected above, were dismissed/struck off the roll.
[ii] This question cannot be answered by the Department as the reinstatement of cases lies with SAPS to finalize all outstanding investigations. Thereafter to request the National Prosecuting Authority to endorse these cases to be placed back in court. The Unit brings these cases to the attention of the Provincial Commissioner for remedial action to be taken.
[2] [a] There are currently three staff members employed in the Court Watching Brief programme: One Deputy Director and two Assistant Directors.
[b] [i] All three staff members are admitted Advocates to the High Court. The Deputy Director has BProc, LLB and the two Assistant Directors have a LLB degree each. All three have extensive criminal law experience.
[ii] Deputy Director: Salary Level 11
Assistant Directors: Salary Level 9.
[3] There is no designated official to monitor GBV. All three team members monitor and report on GBV and femicide cases.
