15 October 2007

By Themba Nyathikazi and Yovini Pillay

THERE'LL be swift justice for traffic offenders, litterbugs and other bylaw violators in Durban when KwaZulu-Natal's first municipal court opens for business next month.

Builders are putting the finishing touches to the new, R5-million premises in Somtseu Road, close to the magistrate's courts.

The court's team of administration staff, a magistrate and prosecutors will concentrate solely on traffic and by-law offences, removing this burden from their overworked colleagues next door.

Until now, by-law offences have often been treated as low-priority cases by hard-pressed justice officials, their casebooks bulging with more serious crimes. Many offenders have had to wait months for their day in court. Others have simply been released without charge. But according to the eThekwini municipality, the days of slow justice and "get out of jail free" cards are numbered.

"Cases will be processed quickly," said City Manager Michael Sutcliffe. "The building is very well designed to meet our needs. It will be both effective and economical."

Sutcliffe played an active role in establishing the court and had liaised with the provincial deputy director of prosecutions over details of the building plans.

Mayor Obed Mlaba said the court was well built and seemed comfortable for the employees. He said it would prove a great help to the municipality, speeding up the process of collecting traffic fines and, eventually, easing the congestion.

Nokhana Moerane, Head of the council's Legal Services unit said: "We are excited that the court will be up and running soon. It has been a long process, but well worth the wait. To give more effectiveness to the court, we are stepping up the pace of the programme to rationalise bylaws."

With its central location, the new building will ensure residents need not travel far to pay their fines. A magistrate and a prosecutor from the department of justice will handle traffic cases. Two council legal personnel have been given delegated authority to do by-law prosecutions.

Source: ethekwini.gov.za