Latest news with #Ramaphosa
The Herald
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Ramaphosa to make judiciary fully independent of justice department
Ramaphosa said the dependence of the judiciary on the government has been odd. 'A joint committee is now in action to finalise this whole process of the independence of the judiciary. It has been an anomaly of our constitutional architecture that we've had parliament as an independent institution in our constitution fully and properly recognised, and the executive — but the judiciary has on an unfair basis had to depend on government on a variety of matters from getting approval on the appointment of people and not even being in complete control of their own budget,' said Ramaphosa. 'This comes to an end now. The judiciary will be independent. We will ensure the judiciary is rightly constituted as an equal branch of the state, same level as the executive and the legislature.' At the meeting with the senior leaders of the judiciary led by the chief justice earlier this month, Ramaphosa and minister of justice Mmamoloko Kubayi committed to ensuring the independence of the state. 'Within the principle of the separation of powers, each arm of the state has a responsibility to co-operate with, and provide support to, the other arms of the state in giving full effect to our constitution. It requires, in particular, that we create conditions in which each arm of the state can fulfil their respective mandates without hindrance,' said Ramaphosa at the time. 'It is an opportunity to develop common approaches on issues that are critical to the effective functioning of the judiciary. At the core of our deliberations is our shared commitment to safeguarding and entrenching the independence of the judiciary and ensuring that it has the space and means to administer justice.' Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said as much as the judiciary has always been independent, some aspects including its finances have been under the department. 'It's always been independent but on some administrative aspects they were dependent on the department. So those administrative areas will now be fully managed by the judiciary as they should be,' he said. TimesLIVE
Eyewitness News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa: The Constitution is a guardian watching over SA's legal health
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the Constitution as a guardian that has been watching over the nation's legal health. Dignitaries gathered at Constitutional Hill on Friday to mark the 30th anniversary of the Constitutional Court. Ramaphosa was the chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly, which was tasked with drafting the new Constitution in 1994. On Friday, while delivering the keynote address at the 30th anniversary of the apex court, Ramaphosa recalled the steps that led towards the finalisation of the country's supreme law. "Speaking in my capacity, then, as chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly, I described this, our Constitution, as our new nation's birth certificate, reflecting the history from which we have emerged and the values of human dignity, equality, and freedom that we now cherish." He said that Friday's festivities called for more than just celebration but also reflection. A packed programme has been prepared for Friday's celebration, with dialogues expected to reflect on significant judgments by the Constitutional Court, such as State vs Makwanyane, which led to the abolition of the death penalty.
IOL News
7 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Ramaphosa urges private sector to help tackle youth unemployment
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on private companies to make better use of available tools like President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on private sector to make better use of available tools like and the Employee Tax Incentive to help tackle South Africa's high youth unemployment rate. In his weekly newsletter earlier this week Ramaphosa said that while government programmes have created millions of opportunities for young people, far more needs to be done and the private sector must play a bigger role. "I call on business and other public sector entities to use to provide more pathways for young people to earning and learning. The private sector needs to use all available mechanisms, including the Employee Tax Incentive, to hire young people," Ramaphosa said. "A vital part of our efforts to empower young people is the platform, which is a single point for unemployed young South Africans to access opportunities for work, training and learning".
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘Money will be made available': Ramaphosa plans to make judiciary fully independent
A joint committee is now in action to finalise the process of the independence of the judiciary. Plans are underway to make South Africa's judiciary fully independent, enabling it to manage its own administration and finances, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. He was speaking during an event marking the 30th anniversary of the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) in Braamfontein on Friday. The announcement follows a recent meeting between the president and members of the judiciary, led by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. While the judiciary is constitutionally recognised as one of the three arms of government – alongside the executive and the legislature – its administrative functions currently fall under the department of justice and constitutional development. Ramaphosa on judiciary's independence In his address, Ramaphosa emphasised the need for structural reforms to ensure the judiciary can carry out its duties independently and effectively. He referred to the judiciary's 2022/2023 annual report, which outlined challenges the ConCourt faces in meeting case finalisation targets. 'This is no doubt owing to the significant volume of cases the court is dealing with,' Ramaphosa said. 'Enhancing access to justice and improving court services has been allocated for in this year's budget and there have been increases for improving superior court services, for judicial education and support, for the filling of vacant posts and to address other funding shortfalls.' ALSO READ: Will performance of ConCourt improve in 2025? The president said that a dedicated team has been established to develop an action plan to be finalised six weeks from now. 'A joint committee is now in action to finalise this whole process of the independence of the judiciary. 'It has been an anomaly of our constitutional architecture that we've had parliament as an independent institution in our constitution fully and properly recognised, and the executive – but the judiciary has on an unfair basis had to depend on government on a variety of matters from getting approval on the appointment of people and not even being in complete control of their own budget,' said Ramaphosa. 'This comes to an end now. The judiciary will be independent. We will ensure the judiciary is rightly constituted as an equal branch of the state, same level as the executive and the legislature.' The promise of the Constitution is far from fully realised. Persistent inequality, threats to judicial independence, lack of implementation of court orders, and erosion of trust in institutions remain pressing challenges. — Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) June 20, 2025 Budget constraints and funding strategy Speaking to the media, Ramaphosa highlighted the current fiscal challenges facing the country, but reiterated government's commitment to financially support judicial independence. 'Money is getting tighter and tighter because our fiscal situation is challenged with the lackluster growth of our economy. 'So the revenues that come into government are becoming slimmer and slimmer. However, we do need to empower various arms of the state. 'Parliament is one, the judiciary is one and the executive of course plays a leading role of the arms of the state,' the president said. READ MORE: 'Unacceptable': Judiciary budget constraints, shortage of judges and backlogs He stressed that despite budgetary constraints, funds will be made available to allow the judiciary full control over its operations. 'Money will be made available and of course to the extent that we are able to mobilise the resources as we grow the economy, the judiciary will have the money and they will be in control just as parliament is in control of its own budget. 'They will be able to embark on infrastructure projects, administrative capability, training and all those without having to always go ask for permission.' Proposals for reform The ConCourt came under criticism last year for not delivering judgments within the prescribed timeframes. The judicial norms and standards require judges to issue rulings within three months of a hearing or trial conclusion However, most courts, including the ConCourt, have often exceeded this deadline, with some judgments delayed for over six months. Several proposals have been put forward to improve the ConCourt's efficiency including amending the Constitution to permit smaller panels of three judges – rather than the full bench of 11 – to hear new applications. NOW READ: 'Free' judges, lack of resources: Hlophe bemoans judicial 'nightmare' after budget cuts
IOL News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa hails Constitutional Court as pillar of South African democracy
President Ramaphosa has hailed the Constitutional Court as a living monument to justice, celebrating 30 years of defending democracy, dignity, and equality from the historic grounds of Constitution Hill.. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday paid tribute to South Africa's Constitutional Court, calling it 'a national treasure' and 'a living monument to justice' as it marked its 30th anniversary on the historic grounds of Constitution Hill. Speaking from the steps of the former prison where freedom fighters were once jailed, and where the apex court now stands, Ramaphosa hailed the Court as the soul of the nation's constitutional democracy. He was speaking at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on Friday. 'Built on the ruins of oppression,' he said, 'this Court rose as a guardian of dignity, equality, and justice. It has not only interpreted the Constitution—it has given it life.' Reflecting on the adoption of the Constitution in 1996, which he helped usher in as Chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly, Ramaphosa described the ConCourt's legacy as 'one of courage, clarity and conscience.' 'The Constitutional Court has not bowed to power. It has defended the powerless. From abolishing the death penalty to upholding the rights of the poor, the marginalised, and the forgotten—its judgments have changed lives,' he said.
