Eleanor Finch
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is a crucial position in the South African government, overseeing the justice system and ensuring the country's constitutional development. The minister is responsible for providing administrative and financial support to the court system and the judiciary, as well as overseeing the National Prosecuting Authority and facilitating law reform. In July 2023, Thembi Nkadimeng became the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, succeeding Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi, who was the first woman to hold this position. The minister works alongside a deputy, currently Andries Nel, to uphold the nation's justice system and constitutional values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Thembi Nkadimeng (as of July 2023) |
| Deputy Minister | Andries Nel (as of July 2023) |
| Department | Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) |
| Location | South Africa |
| Employees | 22,050 (2018/19 financial year), with an additional 2,415 in the Office of the Chief Justice |
| Budget | R22,410.8 million (2020) |
| Responsibilities | Providing administrative and financial support to the court system and judiciary, overseeing the National Prosecuting Authority, offering legal advice and representation to organs of state, and facilitating law reform |
| Previous Ministers | Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi, Brigitte Mabandla (first female minister) |
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What You'll Learn
- The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services is the political head of the department
- The department provides administrative and financial support to the court system
- The department has a significant degree of operational and statutory independence
- The minister is supported by a Deputy Minister of Justice
- The minister oversees the National Prosecuting Authority
The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services is the political head of the department
In June 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed a minister of justice and constitutional development and a separate minister of correctional services, reversing the previous merger of the two departments. The current Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, as of July 2023, is Thembi Nkadimeng, who is supported by a Deputy Minister of Justice, Andries Nel.
The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective functioning of the country's justice system. They are responsible for overseeing the implementation of policies and initiatives related to justice administration, constitutional development, and correctional services. This includes managing the department's budget, which was R22,410.8 million in the 2020 budget, to ensure the efficient operation of the court system and the judiciary.
The minister also plays a key role in advising the government on legal matters and ensuring that the country's laws are upheld and enforced fairly and impartially. They work closely with the National Prosecuting Authority and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served and that the rights of citizens are protected.
Additionally, the minister is responsible for initiating and supporting law reform efforts to ensure that the country's legal framework remains up-to-date and responsive to the needs of its citizens. They may also be involved in international legal matters and representing the country in legal forums. Overall, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law, protecting citizens' rights, and ensuring access to justice in South Africa.
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The department provides administrative and financial support to the court system
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) is the justice department of the South African government. The department provides administrative and financial support to the country's court system and judiciary, which are constitutionally independent of the executive branch.
The DoJ&CD is responsible for overseeing the National Prosecuting Authority, providing legal advice and representation to organs of state, and facilitating law reform. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the fair and impartial administration of justice for all South Africans.
As of July 2023, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services is Thembi Nkadimeng, who is supported by a Deputy Minister of Justice, Andries Nel. The department's management team includes a Chief of Staff, a Chief Financial Officer, and various directors and advisors.
The DoJ&CD has a significant remit, including human rights, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, equality courts, hate crimes and hate speech, international obligations, and LGBTI issues. It also deals with criminal law, child justice, cyber safety, and civil law matters such as estates, trusts, and wills.
The department's role in providing administrative and financial support to the court system is essential to ensuring the smooth functioning of the judiciary and maintaining public access to justice.
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The department has a significant degree of operational and statutory independence
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) is the justice department of the South African government. The department has a significant degree of operational and statutory independence, which is reflected in its various functions and responsibilities.
The DoJ&CD provides administrative and financial support to the court system and the judiciary, which are constitutionally independent of the executive. This support includes managing the court system's finances, as well as providing legal advice and representation to organs of state. The department also plays a crucial role in facilitating law reform, ensuring that the country's legal framework remains up-to-date and responsive to the needs of its citizens.
The minister of justice and constitutional development is the political head of the department. As of July 2023, the minister is Thembi Nkadimeng, who is supported by a Deputy Minister of Justice, Andries Nel. The minister is responsible for overseeing the National Prosecuting Authority and ensuring that justice is administered fairly and impartially throughout the country.
The DoJ&CD has a large number of employees, reflecting the importance of its role in the country's justice system. In the 2018/19 financial year, the department had 22,050 employees, while the Office of the Chief Justice had an additional 2,415 staff members. The department also receives significant funding, with R22,410.8 million appropriated for the DoJ&CD in the 2020 budget, demonstrating the government's commitment to supporting its work.
The department's independence is further reflected in its management structure, which includes a number of senior positions such as the Chief of Staff, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Audit Executive. These positions are currently held by Mr Kgopelo Phasha, Ms Rofhiwa Irene Singo, and Mr Max Budeli, respectively. The department also has a dedicated team of communications officers, secretaries, and legal advisors to support its effective functioning.
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The minister is supported by a Deputy Minister of Justice
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is the justice department of the South African government. The minister is supported by a Deputy Minister of Justice. As of July 2023, the minister is Thembi Nkadimeng, and the deputy minister is Andries Nel.
The department provides administrative and financial support to the court system and the judiciary, who are constitutionally independent of the executive. It also oversees the National Prosecuting Authority, provides legal advice and representation to organs of state, and facilitates law reform.
The position of Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development was created in 1999 when constitutional development was subsumed under the justice department. Previously, constitutional matters were handled by the minister of constitutional development and provincial affairs. In 2014, under President Jacob Zuma's second cabinet, correctional services were also subsumed into the ministry, and the title became the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services.
The Department of Correctional Services remained distinct from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, despite sharing a political head. They reported to the same parliamentary body, the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, but did so separately. Each of the two deputy ministers was responsible for one portfolio.
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The minister oversees the National Prosecuting Authority
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is a role within the South African government. The minister oversees the National Prosecuting Authority, provides legal advice and representation to organs of state, and facilitates law reform. The position has previously been held by Thembi Nkadimeng, who was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2023, and Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi.
The role has a long history in South Africa, dating back to the 20th century when the position was simply called the minister of justice. At that time, the minister's responsibilities included prisons. However, in 1990, President F. W. de Klerk announced extensive prison reforms and established a separate Ministry of Prisons. The portfolio has also included constitutional matters, which were previously overseen by the minister of constitutional development and, before that, the minister of constitutional development and provincial affairs.
In 1999, during the second cabinet of President Thabo Mbeki, constitutional development was moved under the justice portfolio, creating the minister of justice and constitutional development. The Department of Correctional Services has also been merged with and separated from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development at various times. In 2014, during President Jacob Zuma's second term, the two departments were merged, only to be separated again in 2024 by President Ramaphosa.
The minister of justice and constitutional development is supported by a Deputy Minister of Justice, such as Andries Nel, who served under Minister Nkadimeng. The department plays a crucial role in providing administrative and financial support to the court system and the judiciary, ensuring their independence from the executive branch.
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Frequently asked questions
As of July 2023, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Thembi Nkadimeng.
The Deputy Minister is Andries Nel.
The department provides administrative and financial support to the South African court system and judiciary, oversees the National Prosecuting Authority, provides legal advice and representation to organs of state, and facilitates law reform.
In 2004, Brigitte Mabandla became the first woman to be appointed to the portfolio.
