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Minister De Lille must provide answers on dangerous Humansdorp Court

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Dear MyPE

Thirteen years after promises of a much-needed upgrade by the Department of Public Works, the Humansdorp Magistrates Court still poses significant health and safety risks to all that enter there.

Yesterday, 13 October 2020, I was joined by Sarah Baartman District Municipality Cllr Henni Britz in conducting an oversight inspection at the court and was shocked at its dilapidated state. (see pictures here, here, here and here)

Plans to extend and secure this building have been in place since 2006, but no progress has been made by the Department of Public Works. The building falls under the National Department of Public Works and upgrades were approved 13 years ago.

Despite this, upgrades approved long after those meant for the Humansdorp Court, have already been executed at the magistrates’ courts in Hankey, Patensie and Joubertina.

The appalling conditions at the court raise serious concerns around safety and security. Dangerous weapons have been brought onto the premises by the public in the past. There is almost no security to speak of and metal detectors are not being used.

Up to 60 suspects are kept in small holding cells and the open-toilets provided are regularly out of order.

There is also a massive shortage of toilet facilities for the public and staff. There is no toilet for women members of the public and only one for the more than 20 female staff members.

This is not an acceptable professional environment. The lives of magistrates, public prosecutors and court personnel are endangered on a daily basis

Boxes of important paperwork are still being stored in a building on the premises.

I will now ask parliamentary questions of the Minister of Public Works, Patricia de Lille, on why the status quo at the Humansdorp Court remains.

After 13 years of promises the Department has only delivered on providing plans for the proposed upgrades.

It is an indictment against the government that after all these years a safe and adequate court building cannot be provided for our magistracy, officials serving the community and the public.

The DA will not stand idly by and allow the health and safety of our people to be endangered whilst in the pursuit of justice for all.

Regards

Samantha Graham-Maré, MP
DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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