Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, virtually presented the Budget Vote for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJCD) 2022/23 on 17 May 2022. Mr Lamola pointed out that the budget allocation for the DOJCD for the financial year 2022/23 amounts to R 22,4 billion, which is an increase of approximately, R 515 million. He said this is equivalent to a real term growth rate of 2% per year on average over the spending review. Mr Lamola added that the allocation will help accelerate the extensive work already underway to recover from the unprecedented impact of the pandemic, while delivering a more efficient and modern justice system.

Mr Lamola said that the budget is inclusive of the allocation for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and transfers to the two constitutional bodies, namely the Public Protector (PP) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). He pointed out that the budget allocation also provides funding for the Information Regulator, as well as transfers to the Legal Aid South Africa (Legal Aid SA), the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and a direct charge to the National Revenue Fund in respect of magistrates’ salaries. ‘This budget enables the department and its entities to execute their respective constitutional and statutory mandates,’ Mr Lamola said.

The following amounts were allocated for the 2022/23 year:

• Legal Aid SA has been allocated R 2 billion.
• The NPA has been allocated R 4,910 billion.
• The SIU was allocated R 452 million.
• The PP budget has been allocated R 357,9 million for the financial year.
• The SAHRC budget was allocated R 208,5 million.

Kgomotso Ramotsho Cert Journ (Boston) Cert Photography (Vega) is the news reporter at De Rebus.