Question NW3869 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
15 December 2017 - NW3869
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) On what date will his department begin with the judicial inquiry into the death of a certain person (name and details furnished), (b) what are the names of the (i) presiding officer and (ii) other members of the specified inquiry, (c) what are the intended time lines for the completion of the inquiry and (d) what steps will his department take following the completion of the inquiry?
Reply:
I have been informed by the Director of the Public Prosecution for the Western Cape as follows:
a) The statements, documents and information have been submitted to the inquest Magistrate by the Prosecutor in terms of Section 5(1) of the Inquests Act.
Therefore, no date is yet available for the inquest to be held as the inquest Magistrate is still perusing the documents.
b) The matter has not been allocated to a specific presiding officer, and any assessors that might be necessary have not yet been appointed.
c) The police investigation has been completed. However, it is unknown whether the presiding officer will have further queries regarding any evidence. Should the presiding officer raise further queries, they will be attended to as quickly as possible.
d) Once any further investigation that may be necessary has been completed, the presiding officer will determine whether a formal inquest must be held (i.e. one at which viva voce evidence will be heard in court) and whether assessors should be appointed.