Lawyers deployed at police stations to stop criminal cases collapsing

Lawyers are being deployed at police stations in Mitchells Plain to strengthen criminal cases and improve access to justice. This project, known as Lawyers in Police Stations, was launched in Mitchells Plain on Tuesday after a successful pilot in Grassy Park. The Western Cape Government, SAPS and Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) are partnering to place experienced legal practitioners inside police stations.

Malikah Scaffers, an experienced lawyer, will serve as the first practitioner in Mitchells Plain, with plans for a second in the future. The project costs approximately R1 million per station annually, encompassing the lawyer, training, and other expenses. Mitchells Plain Safety and Development Forum chairperson Abie Isaacs believes this initiative addresses victims' frustration over cases failing due to weaknesses in the original case file.

Scaffers, with over 16 years of legal experience, will provide support at Mitchells Plain SAPS, focusing on assisting at the earliest stages of the criminal justice process. She emphasizes the importance of proper questioning and ensuring statements contain all elements of a crime. Former National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli highlights that strong cases begin with accurate statements and that the project aims to ensure this.

He warns against prioritizing conviction rates over justice and notes that reliable records can protect against claims of fabricated evidence. The project's success in Grassy Park has shown progress in statement quality and engagement with prosecutors. If successful, the model could expand to include up to 300 lawyers in priority stations across the province.

Premier Alan Winde emphasizes the significance of the initiative on the Cape Flats, where high levels of violence continue to be a pressing issue.