Justice minister to visit Durban Magistrate’s Court for virtual remand system review

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane will visit the Durban Magistrate’s Court today, Friday November 8, to assess progress in the implementation of the virtual remand detainee system.

According to the department, the court has experienced numerous connectivity challenges that have delayed the roll out of the virtual remand detainee system.

“As part of the visit, the minister will together with Deputy Minister Andries Nel engage with officials from the Justice, Correctional Services and South African Police Service (SAPS) as well as the magistracy to receive a briefing on how they have experienced the system,” the department said.

The department explained the virtual system is part of the department’s modernisation programme. It is used in the postponement of criminal cases against accused persons who are in custody awaiting trial via a high-quality audio-visual link between the Correctional Centre and the Court.

“This project is also congruous to the National Development Plan: 2030 which advocates for safer communities in that, it reduces a risk of escape by inmates while at the court or in transit. It also reduces security risk at the court and the propensity of smuggling contrabands and weapons at the holding cells,” the department said.

“Virtual hearings have been implemented successfully across most courts in the KwaZulu-Natal Province and 169 virtual trials have already been conducted at the Durban Magistrate’s Court. This happened in the current financial year (2024/25) with connections with witnesses from other provinces, as well as from the UK, USA, Dubai, Scotland, and Zimbabwe.”

The department added that this technology has been extended for use in the remand of detainees. The courts in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, along with the correctional facilities to which they are linked, are now operational.