Take heed Mr Minister

THERE is no longer any doubt about the inadequacies of our courts.

The imperfections include an outdated form of sourcing information, to how the system is manipulated by cunning lawyers and litigants.

Constitutional Court Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo and Labour Court Judge President Dunstan Mlambo dwelled on these shortcomings at the Access to Justice conference in Johannesburg over the weekend.

Ngcobo's equally esteemed colleague also blamed other judges for allowing attorneys to play the system, and slow the wheels of justice.

This, of course, is a serious call to Minister of Justice Jeff Radebe to rectify the situation now.

Indeed, many have been at the receiving end because justice delayed is justice denied.

Mlambo says the solution is for the judiciary "to take control of the judicial process".

Yes, Minister Radebe, the judge means you must fill those vacancies.

These shortcomings should no longer be cited as one of the reasons for awaiting-trial suspects languishing behind bars for years, Mr Minister.

Judge Ngcobo also points out that the introduction of electronic filing will go a long way towards reducing case backlogs.

This would mean judges and court officials can retrieve information at the click of a mouse.

This would also take care of the disappearing documents.

Thanks to judges Ngcobo and Mlambo, this is the most powerful gavel to be sounded for the innocents.

We hope the minister gets the message loud and clear.