The days of residents and businesses of the City of Johannesburg deliberately disregarding bylaws are soon to be a thing of the past.
This follows meetings of the city’s senior management with the key stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System, who include the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the judiciary, senior court officials, the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) as well as the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The City, Chief and Senior Magistrates, including the Prosecutors dealing with municipal matters, have been informed about the City’s by-law changes and fine schedules. These will be publicised on the city’s website soon. In an effort to deepen understanding on the entire City’s by-laws and fines schedule, the City will also publish a leaflet for public information.
The National Prosecuting Authority has ensured that more court space in which to present serious law-enforcement cases beyond the current Johannesburg court region. The partnership will ultimately lead to compliance to the by-law scripts and restore the rule of law in the City of Johannesburg.
The City has formalised a working relationship with the Justice Department, which is currently engaging with the City’s appointed prosecutors who are delegated by the NPA to prosecute.
The NPA assists and guides the City to successfully prosecute offenders in line with the National Prosecution Policy (NPP), as they are responsible for prosecutions and accountable to the NPA. This approach establishes a seamless working relationship with the NPA.
Isaac Mogashoa, the Head of the City of Johannesburg’s Legal Department and Acting Unit Head of Municipal Courts and Prosecutions Adele Freshwater confirmed plans to step up the crackdown on those who fail to comply with the city’s valid processes and by-laws.
“We have a very enthusiastic team that is eager to get the required work done. This has been made clear in the past few weeks during our engagements while mapping a way forward on the challenges facing the city,” says Mogashoa.
Freshwater agrees: “Members of the same team have shown great enthusiasm and also put a lot of energy and concentration during other workshops in the past weeks.”
As part of the coordinated effort to work with the Justice Department and the NPA, Johannesburg City has been finalising alignment of Magisterial Boundaries. This will result in the adjustment and alignment to the jurisdiction of the Magisterial Boundaries.
