Media Statements

Official launch of Sexual Offences Court in Bredasdorp, Western Cape

07 February 2020

In recent years, the community of Bredasdorp has experienced the tragic loss of many women and children, such as Anene Booysen, Kayde Williams, Elna Jaftha, Sulnita Manho, Xolelwa Vuma, Jodine Pieters and, most recently, Delvina Europa.

In order to protect and promote the rights of victims of sexual offences, the Deputy Minister of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr John Jeffrey, launched a Sexual Offences Court in Bredasdorp, Western Cape, earlier today.

The event was attended by relevant role-players, such as, amongst others, the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service, the Regional Commissioner for the Department of Correctional Service, representatives from the National Prosecuting Authority, Legal Aid SA and various Chapter 9 bodies. The event was also coupled with a question and answer imbizo where community members could ask questions and raise issues directly with the relevant stakeholders.

The main aim of these courts is to prevent secondary victimization when a victim has to testify. These courts are equipped with a designated room from which the victim will testify and a courtroom fitted with 2-way CCTV, private waiting rooms and/or play areas for child victims and their families. There are currently 94 sexual offences courts across the country.
“When we bring these cases to court, we need to prevent secondary traumatisation and ensure that survivors of sexual offences receive the necessary support services that are available to them. 
Since August 2013, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has been progressively establishing new sexual offences courts every year, which, in a nutshell, means taking an ordinary Regional Court and designating these courts to hear sexual offences matters in a victim-centric and victim-friendly manner,” Mr Jeffrey said.

Sexual Offences Courts offer a number of victim-support services, which include, amongst others, court preparation services and intermediaries who convey questions and statements received from the court to the victim in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner.  They currently appear in cases involving child witnesses and witnesses with mental disabilities.

As part of the proceedings of the day, the Deputy Minister had a special meeting with families of the victims of sexual offenses.  The Deputy Minister and relevant role-players also undertook to have a follow-up meeting to monitor individual cases emanating from such offences. “We cannot bring those women and children back, but we can ensure that there is justice for them and for their families,” Mr Jeffery said.

Echoing the same sentiments was the Provincial Commissioner for SAPS, Lt Gen Yolisa Matakata, who urged these families, and community members at large, to join hands with the police and other law enforcement agencies to curb the rate of sexual offenses.  “Of critical importance is to keep channels of communication open between authorities and families, such a move will aid in ensuring speedy and proper prosecution of perpetrators,” she said.

Families of victims of sexual offenses, though still grieving from horrific ordeals, were heartened to learn that a court specializing in cases of this nature is being launched. 
“We are of the view that the introduction of this court in our town is going to help greatly in the speedy resolution of sexual offenses cases.  We are even more excited to learn that the court is victim-centric and will therefore eliminate instances of secondary victimization,” said Sarel Pieters, one of the families of victims of sexual offences in Bredasdorp.

A simulation demonstrating how this special court will function was also conducted with all attendees being able to see how the court operates.

Issued by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development          

Enquiries:    
Mr Chrispin Phiri
Spokesperson: Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services
081 781 2261
CPhiri@justice.gov.za