Question NW3825 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
15 November 2022 - NW3825
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether his department has a plan in place to address the untenable state of affairs of several toilet facilities at the Plettenberg Magistrates Court designated for the disabled which have no functioning lights nor globes, rendering them unusable; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) time frames and (b) further relevant details of the plan?
Reply:
I have been informed, by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s Provincial Head: Western Cape, that facilities related challenges were resolved on 18 October 2022. Contractors were called to conduct an assessment and repair. Using the Departmental delegation, all lights were repaired, and globes were also fitted. This was confirmed when the Provincial Head and in his delegation visited the service point to test functionality. The newly appointed Area Court Manager conducts weekly inspections on the building to ensure that all defects are noted and resolved.
Ablution facilities, CCTV, generator gauge and emergency lights are linked to the central biometric system. This system was affected during the municipal electrical power outage which affected the entire area including the court. As soon as the municipal power was restored, the Court Management logged a call to ensure that affected biometric system is also restored.