Chief Justice Mandisa Maya Raises Alarms Over Court Backlogs in Latest Judiciary Reports

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has released the annual Judiciary reports for both the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years, drawing attention to significant challenges within South Africa’s court system. The reports, delivered during a formal briefing, paint a sobering picture of courts struggling to finalise criminal matters and failing to meet nationally set performance targets.

According to Mandisa Maya, these reports are essential tools for evaluating how effectively the Judiciary is functioning, where it is falling short, and what systemic issues need urgent redress. While the Judiciary remains committed to upholding justice, the reports highlight a growing gap between expectations and outcomes—particularly in the handling of criminal cases.

The latest reports provide an overview of the performance of South Africa’s courts across different levels, from district courts to high courts. One of the most pressing concerns emerging from the findings is the slow pace at which criminal matters are being finalised.

Mandisa Maya: Judiciary Reports Reveal Worrying Trends in Criminal Case Finalisation

In the past financial year, courts managed to finalise 73% of criminal cases, falling short of the 75% national target. While a 2% difference may appear minimal, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya emphasised that the shortfall has significant effects on the justice system. Every delay in processing criminal matters contributes to overcrowded remand facilities, prolonged trauma for victims, and extended uncertainty for accused persons awaiting trial.

Chief Justice explained that this underperformance is not due to lack of effort from judicial officers. Instead, it stems largely from external factors that hinder the smooth progression of cases. The conduct of some accused individuals as well as their legal representatives has played a central role in repeated postponements, prolonging proceedings that should otherwise move efficiently.

Chief Justice Maya shed light on the specific reasons behind the Judiciary’s inability to meet its targets. Criminal backlogs, she noted, have been exacerbated by several factors that are increasingly common in South African courts.

According to the reports, many of the cases that remain unresolved involve multiple accused persons. Multi-accused cases are notoriously difficult to manage, as they require the coordination of numerous legal teams, witnesses, and court schedules. A single postponement from one accused or one lawyer can stall the entire trial.

Mandisa Maya further noted that lengthy trials and complex case structures also contribute significantly to delays. Cases involving organised crime, financial crimes, or intricate evidence typically stretch over several months or even years. As a result, these cases tend to consume considerable court time and resources, slowing down the finalisation of other matters.

She explained:
“The national target for the reduction of criminal backlogs and finalisation of criminal matters at the high court was not met. Some of the reported reasons being that cases involved multiple accused, trials were lengthy, and matters were complex.”

This complexity places immense pressure on court personnel and infrastructure, already strained by limited resources and increasing caseloads.

While much of the Judiciary’s report focuses on performance metrics and case statistics, the real-world consequences of slow criminal case finalisation cannot be ignored. When cases drag on longer than necessary, victims may feel denied justice, witnesses become reluctant or unavailable, and accused individuals may spend prolonged periods in remand detention.

The Judiciary also faces reputational concerns. Public trust in the justice system is undermined when cases appear to stagnate. This is especially sensitive in South Africa, where communities are already grappling with high levels of violent crime. An efficient Judiciary is vital for public confidence, safety, and social stability.

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya emphasized that while the Judiciary is committed to improving its performance, addressing these challenges requires collaboration across multiple sectors. Legal practitioners, law enforcement agencies, and the Department of Justice all play roles in ensuring courts can operate with minimal disruption.

She urged legal representatives to act with integrity and responsibility, noting that unnecessary postponements due to unpreparedness or tactical delays harm the entire justice system. At the same time, she called for improved support services and resources that would allow the Judiciary to process cases more effectively.

Mandisa Maya stressed that meaningful solutions will require modernised court systems, better coordination among legal teams, and firmer enforcement of procedural rules that discourage deliberate obstruction or delay.

As the Judiciary assesses its performance over two consecutive financial years, it is clear that restoring efficiency will require concerted effort. The reports offer a roadmap for reform and underscore the urgency of strengthening institutional processes.

For Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, transparency is a vital step in rebuilding trust: acknowledging shortcomings allows the Judiciary to pursue meaningful change. While challenges remain, the latest reports open the door for broader dialogue about what is needed to ensure justice is delivered swiftly and fairly.

Source- EWN