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Vision and Mission
An accessible justice system in a vibrant and evolving constitutional democracy.
To enable access to justice, to promote constitutionalism, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and to coordinate state litigation and legal advisory services.
PROGRAMMES
The Strategic Plan and the Annual Performance Plan cover all five programmes of the Department which
are:
- Administration
- Lower Court Services
- State Legal Services
- National Prosecuting Authority
- Auxiliary and Associated Services
STRATEGIC OUTCOMES
Outcome 1: A capable, efficient, effective, and ethical department
1.1 Unqualified audit opinion on Vote account obtained
1.2 Unqualified audit opinion on other funds obtained
1.3 Unqualified audit opinion on predetermined objectives obtained
1.4 Number of training programmes conducted to reduce skills gap in the cluster and the Department
1.5 Number of specialised training programmes conducted
1.6 The rate of finalised grievance cases improved
1.7 The rate of finalising misconduct cases improved
1.8 Percentage of SMS and MMS with skills gap reduced
1.9 Percentage of incidences of attacks on court officials, judiciary, prosecutors, legal practitioners, witnesses and members of the public in court premises reduced.
1.10 Number of justice services accessible online increased
1.11 Percentage of courts providing court proceedings virtually increased
Outcome 2: Reformed, integrated and modernised criminal justice system
2.1 Criminal Procedure Bill submitted to Ministry for introduction and finalisation in Parliament
2.2 Number of modern CJS case management systems integrated to enable exchange of information electronically
2.3 Percentage of departments/ entities connected to IJS transversal Hub and exchange information electronically increased
2.4 Number of interventions for the effective coordination of Criminal Justice System implemented
Outcome 3: Efficient, resilient and strengthened Justice System enhanced for improved accessibility
3.1 Number of Policy Reforms on Civil Justice System finalised
3.2 Number of Traditional Courts in the Magisterial Districts capacitated in line with the implementation plan
3.3 Number of sexual offences courts established
3.4 Percentage of child justice preliminary inquiries monitored for finalization within 30 days after the date of first appearance
3.5 Number of courts upgraded in line with the minimum standards for domestic violence support services
3.6 Percentage of convicted sex offenders registered in the NRSO within 10 days of receipt of the order
3.7 Percentage of NRSO clearance certificate issued within 10 working days of receipt of compliant application
3.8 Number of courts providing additional Justice services increased
3.9 Percentage reduction on criminal cases backlog on the court roll
3.10 Percentage of criminal cases postponed due to unavailability of administrative support services
3.11 Number of new court buildings completed
3.12 Number of courts refurbished and upgraded (major renovations)
3.13 Percentage of Master’s services finalised in line with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
3.14 Percentage Master’s turn-around strategy interventions implemented
3.15 Percentage of Family Advocate services finalised in line with the SOPs
3.16 Number of Rules of Courts to improve access to justice submitted to the Rules Board for approval
3.17 Number of research papers on the review of the civil justice system submitted to the South African Law Reform Commission for consideration and approval
Outcome 4: Advanced Constitutionalism, Human Rights, the Rule of Law and International Cooperation
4.1 Number of Community Advice Offices (CAO’s) supported through the PLEAJ project to expand the provision of free, basic legal advice and promotion of human rights awareness
4.2 Number of Community Advice Offices supported to provide justice services in all districts
4.3 Number of Regulations to address TRC Recommendations implemented
4.4 Number of initiatives conducted to strengthen public participation in democratic processes.
4.5 Number of initiatives to assist departments to implement the recommendations and directives of constitutional institutions by various organs of state conducted
4.6 Number of initiatives conducted to implement Chapter 5 of PEPUDA
4.7 Number of initiatives implemented for the protection of human rights and deepening constitutionalism
4.8 Percentage compliance with international, regional, sub-regional, human rights, and other relevant treaty reporting obligations
4.9 Number of bilateral agreements on extradition/Mutual Legal Assistance/judicial cooperation negotiated increased.
4.10 Number of engagements undertaken in international fora to support the development and strengthening of international law, norms and standards
4.11 Number of engagements in strengthening the effectiveness of the established NAP Governance Structure to promote social cohesion, equality and tolerance held
4.12 Number of materials developed to improve knowledge and understanding of the Constitution and human rights
4.13 Number of initiatives conducted to implement the National mechanism on reporting, implementation and follow up (NMRIF) of human rights treaty obligations
4.14 UN Convention against Cybercrime ratified
Outcome 5: Professionalized, modernized and quality State Litigation, Legal Advisory Services and legal reform
5.1 Percentage of successful legal challenges on the constitutionality of Bills as certified/ legislation and subordinate legislation/ international agreements as scrutinised by the OCSLA reduced
5.2 Percentage of Bills certified by OCSLA within 30 working days from the date of receipt of instructions
5.3 Percentage of International Agreements scrutinised within 30 working days from the date of receipt of instructions
5.4 Percentage of constitutionally sound legislative instruments successfully challenged in courts
5.5 Percentage of cases finalised through ADRM
5.6 Percentage of State Attorney Turn-around Strategy implemented
5.7 Number of Intergovernmental National Lawyers Forum initiatives implemented
5.8 Percentage reduction in litigation costs
Outcome 6: Transformed of the legal service for an improved access to justice for all
6.1 Percentage increase of previously disadvantaged individuals (PDI) legal practitioners briefed
6.2 Percentage value of briefs allocated to Females legal practitioners
6.3 Number of initiatives implemented to increase access to legal profession by youth and women
6.4 Percentage implementation of the Legal sector code to ensure participation of previously disadvantaged legal practitioners
6.5 Amendment to the Legal Practice Act, 2014 finalised in Parliament
6.6 Percentage implementation of Community Service Regulations
Outcome 7: Fighting Crime and Corruption through prosecution
7.1 Report on the review of South Africa’s anti-corruption architecture submitted in Parliament
7.2 Whistle-blower Framework/Bill amended and introduced in Parliament
7.3 Percentage implementation of the reviewed Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Amendment Framework
7.4 Number of identified legislation to strengthen anti-corruption efforts reviewed and overhauled
7.5 Number of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing cases finalised
7.6 Total value of recoveries
7.7 Total value of freezing orders
7.8 Conviction rate for identified crimes of the priority offences list
7.9 Conviction rate for corruption
7.10 Conviction rate in Murder
7.11 Conviction rate in Sexual Offences
7.12 Number of Thuthuzela Care Centres established and operational increased
Outcome 8: Colonial/apartheid-era justice-related legislation reviewed and replaced
8.1 Number of Bills and justice related legislation seeking to repeal and replace colonial and apartheid era statutes introduced in Parliament
8.2 Number of research papers on the Review of Colonial and Apartheid Era Legislation recommending to inform the Repeal, Amendment or Replacement of Legislation to be aligned with the Constitution submitted to the Commission for consideration and approval
Outcome 9: Strengthened and improved awareness of the justice services and community outreach programmes
9.1 Number of engagements held in magisterial districts to promote justice services and the Constitution (Chapter 2 Bill of Rights)
9.2 Level of public awareness and perception on prosecution, justice services and the Constitution
9.3 Number of engagements conducted by DOJCD supported Community Advice Offices to promote the Constitution, human rights, rule of law, and legal literacy to strengthen participatory democracy and active citizenry
9.4 Number of forums created to advance public discourse on human rights and constitutionalism
9.5 Number of information sessions conducted to foster social cohesion, tolerance and unity in diversity
9.6 Number of engagements conducted to promote awareness on Sexual Orientation, Gender, Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act
Follow this link to read the Department of Justice's Strategic Plan and the Annual Performance Plan.
Updated: 15 April 2025