Johannesburg: President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed government’s commitment to judicial independence, assuring the nation that funding for the judiciary will be made available despite South Africa’s tightening fiscal environment. Speaking to the media at the 30-year anniversary celebrations of the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, the President acknowledged the financial challenges facing the state but said these would not deter the empowerment of key democratic institutions.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa highlighted the fiscal difficulties, noting that the country’s economic growth remains lacklustre, leading to reduced governmental revenues. Despite these constraints, he emphasized the necessity of empowering the judiciary alongside other state arms. ‘Money is getting tighter and tighter because our fiscal situation is challenged with the lacklustre growth of our economy. So, the revenues that come into government are becoming slimmer and slimmer. However, we do need to empower various arms of the state,’ the President said on Friday.
During his address, the President stressed that the judiciary, Parliament, and the Executive would be prioritized in budgetary allocations. ‘Parliament and the judiciary are one of those and the executive, of course, plays a leading role of the arms of the state, so money will be made available, and of course, to the extent that we are able to mobilise the resources as we grow the economy,’ he stated.
Addressing concerns about the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) resource constraints, President Ramaphosa underscored the significance of judicial independence and discussed plans for the judiciary to have direct control over its finances. ‘The judiciary will have the money, and they will be in control, just as parliament is in control of its own budget. They will be able to embark on infrastructure projects, administrative capability training and all this without having to always go and ask for permission from the Minister of Justice,’ he explained.
President Ramaphosa praised Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and Chief Justice Mandisa Maya for their efforts in advancing financial autonomy for the judiciary. ‘But I need to say that the Minister of Justice and the Chief Justice are the ones who have actually moved the needle on this matter. So, if you have to pay any tribute to anyone, its these two ladies who have really moved mountains,’ he remarked.
He also acknowledged the contributions of former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, noting that the groundwork for financial independence was laid during Zondo’s tenure. ‘Having said that, former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, sought to have this put in place and I think the foundation and the framework was set in place from 2013. It was consolidated during Chief Justice Zondo’s time, and it’s now been put in place during Chief Justice Maya’s time,’ President Ramaphosa elaborated.