R4.9bn justice system programme sinking amid governance failures
Cybersecurity gaps and network failures could cause court disruptions, lost records and slower justice, the auditor-general warns.
A multibillion-rand justice system initiative is faltering due to poor governance, fragmented oversight, and technology issues, according to the latest audit report. Over the past decade, R4.9 billion has been allocated to the programme, but progress in implementing the integrated justice system (IJS) strategy remains slow. Weak accountability, siloed planning, inconsistent performance indicators, and limited outcome-based monitoring are hindering the programme's success.
The report highlights that the lack of a fully developed strategy and the current engagement of various departments and the private sector to create the IJS Digital Transformation and Modernisation Strategy are causing delays. Moreover, significant weaknesses in the justice sector's ICT environment are threatening court operations and exposing funds to fraud.
Network upgrades are far behind schedule, with only 63 out of 506 planned WAN upgrades completed. The department's budget is managed by 10 auditees, with R289 million in irregular expenditure recorded, which not only violates procurement laws but also undermines the constitution's principles of fairness, cost-effectiveness, transparency, and competitiveness.
Leadership instability further complicates matters, as the accounting officer for the Office of the Chief Justice has been absent for 15 months, and the Special Investigating Unit has been without an accounting officer for two months.
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