Justice and Constitutional Development Deputy Minister Andries Nel has confirmed that sufficient funds have been budgeted for the continuation of the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, and that the Commission has used its allocated funds sparingly and efficiently.
Speaking during a broadcast interview following Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi’s tabling of a 26.3 billion rand budget focused on ramping up the fight against corruption and organized crime, Nel addressed concerns about whether enough money would be available for the Commission’s work.
“Sufficient funds have been budgeted,” Nel said, adding that the matter had also been addressed before the portfolio committee on justice. “The Commission commendably has been very sparing with the use of resources. They are currently actually running under their budget because they’ve worked very efficiently. Highly commendable.”
The budget allocates 62% of funds to the compensation of employees. When asked how the justice system can modernize and expand access with such a large portion going to salaries, Nel acknowledged that the department has prioritized modernization, particularly regarding ICT technology.
“We’ve said that the department and in fact the entire justice system must get back to basics when it comes to ICT technology,” Nel said, explaining the need for a functional, reliable high-speed broadband network connecting all components of the Department of Justice.
However, Nel cautioned against viewing the 62% expenditure on compensation as wasteful. “We need prosecutors. We need magistrates. We need judges. We need officials in our master’s offices to run and provide service to the people of South Africa,” he said.
Nel noted that the vast majority of members of parliament supported the budget during debate, though many raised serious concerns that the justice system is not being adequately funded. He acknowledged operating in a “highly fiscally constrained environment” requiring doing more with less.
Regarding the National Prosecuting Authority and referrals from the Madlanga Commission, Nel said: “The case for more resources and more resources especially for the NPA with the referral of those Madlanga Commission cases is a case that we all support and we support very strongly.”
Nel also highlighted the work of the Asset Forfeiture Unit and the Special Investigating Unit, saying the portfolio committee was “effusive in its praise.” The SIU is targeting one billion rand in asset recoveries, with seized monies going into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account to be plowed back into the criminal justice system.
The overall budget was reduced by approximately 300 million rand, partly due to a downward estimate in inflation and because funds have been shifted to the office of the chief justice as part of moving toward a judiciary-controlled court administration model. Nel described this as part of South Africa’s evolving constitutional democracy, noting the country is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Constitution.