The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCD) is not satisfied with speed at which the ICT integration across the cluster departments is taking place.
This was revealed by minister Jeff Radebe in a written response to a question at the National Council of Provinces.
He added that the department has made important strides in developing technology solutions to ensure improved efficiency and effectiveness in South African courts as part of the implementation of the Integrated Justice System (IJS) Strategy.
“The department, through the IJS board, has also been involved within the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster in promoting technology as an enabler and to help integrate information and communications technology (ICT) across the cluster.”
As a result of the cluster's dissatisfaction with the speed of ICT integration, it has reviewed the prioritisation of integration activities, which are dealt with through the IJS board. The IJS board is now being strengthened to fast-track integration and modernisation efforts, said the minister.
Digital postponement
He also said the DJCD modernised the functioning of the courts by using ICT as an enabler.
“More extensive use of technology was made possible by the successful development and national roll out of the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS). The ICMS features various modules, which support the automation of core business processes such as case registration and management of cases through the lifecycle.
“This solution makes provision for the registration of the criminal case and the case outcome (postponement, withdrawals, conviction, etc). It also features an automated court roll, document scanning, electronic national register of sex offenders and management reports.”
Radebe said other processes that have been automated include the masters, civil and small claims. Audio-visual postponing of cases is also now a reality in courts and prisons throughout the country. The audio-visual remand (AVR) system has been deployed at 47 courts and 22 correctional centres nationally.
The launch of the AVR initiative came about after noting that 80% of awaiting trial detainees are transported to courts for the mere purpose of postponement.
The system will be utilised in the postponement of certain criminal cases against accused persons who are in custody awaiting trial via a high-quality audio-visual link between the correctional centre and the court.
Improving effectiveness
“The modernisation initiatives above have improved efficiency in the administration of our courts in that case information and court records can be obtained much quicker by using an electronic reference system to search for court case information, including physical documents digitised through a scanning process,” said Radebe.
He explained that the transition from manual processes to electronic processes has, to a large extent, improved the overall effectiveness of case management processes.
The system-generated information reports enable court managers to be proactive and ensure that all necessary documents are available before the next court date.
“The automation of these processes has enabled the courts to render a speedier service to the public when dealing with queries. By simply entering the case number on the system, court clerks can retrieve information within seconds as there is no need to find hardcopies of files to be able to respond to a query.”
The minister also said the value-added services include the introduction of the Justice Deposit Account System (JDAS) functionality with electronic and Internet banking facilities, whereby bail and maintenance monies can be paid and received at any court regardless of where the case was registered.
Battling delays
“The department is not immune to complexities and delays associated with technology development projects. Most of the delays which occur relates to replacement or acquisition of technical skills.
“Salary scales of government make it difficult to attract the specialised IT skills required, in particular IT architects and systems integrators, as well as project management skills. Another cause of delays is the procurement processes or tender processes relating to procurement of IT services.”
Radebe said the department is, however, continuously monitoring and managing the impact of any delays and seeking ways to prevent them, as well as fast-track the speedy implementation of ICT solutions and in particular integration across the criminal justice value chain.
Tech allowance
In June, Radebe said the department will focus on the use of ICT to implement a financial turnaround strategy to abate its qualified audits.
Among others, Radebe said the emphasis on the electronic fund transfer payment system, where payments are made directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts, seeks to increase efficiency, while reducing fraud and corruption in the handling of third-party funds.
“We are also taking initiatives to enhance the capacity of the court administration through the Court Capacitation Project of the Justice Sector Strengthening Programme, which is an 18-month USAID-funded project being implemented by the National Centre for State Courts to DJCD.”
The minister said the objective of the project is the provision of operational and technical support with the view of improving and strengthening court management, integrated case flow management systems and court automation.
He added that the renewal and modernisation of ICT infrastructure will receive R210 million for this financial year.
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