PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - More than two years after construction of Plettenberg Bay's R314-million state-of-the-art court commenced, the brand new facility was opened by the Justice Minister, Michael Masutha last week.

The opening has been welcomed by most residents, especially children's rights activists who hailed the inclusion of a dedicated sexual offences court.

The Plett court boasts nine court rooms including two sexual offences courtrooms, four criminal, two regional and two family courtrooms as well a civil and equality court.

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The building features state-of- the-art security systems, a secure accused off-loading area leading to the courtrooms; offices for magistrates and prosecutors; child maintenance and domestic violence facilities; ample public waiting areas and parking facilities.

The building also includes 17 cells for those awaiting trial.

The construction, done with the Independent Development Trust (IDT), started in October 2016 and will be fully operational from June 6. On June 7 the first sexual crime matter is set to be heard in the new court.

Masutha said the Plettenberg Bay court was part of R3.5-billion spent on five new courts across the country.

"This court will alleviate the hardships endured by the local community, who have been commuting to the Knysna court, some 32km away, to access the full basket of justice offerings.

These include the adjudication of criminal offences and civil disputes, family law services, services of the Master, and court annexed mediation," Masutha said.

This court is located in the suburb of New Horizons, about 3km away from the coastal holiday town's CDB and 1,2km from KwaNokuthula.

Masutha added that although Plettenberg Bay was a relatively small town, it was growing fast in terms of population. "This is an investment for the future.

"As is standard with our modern infrastructure, the second regional court will be fitted with sexual offences infrastructure. The dedicated sexual offences court facility is one of the 80 countrywide, which are in response to the high level of sexual offences and gender-based violence.

"Of the 80, 12 are in the Western Cape. The facilities in this court include a training room, two libraries, nine consulting rooms for legal practitioners, children's waiting rooms, a first aid room, a cash hall, and record rooms."

Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) Western Cape spokesman Joanne Barrett welcomed the new court and its spescialised sexual offences court.

"Victims of sexual offences have special needs that often require specialised skills that can only be developed from dedicated court.

"The impact of sexual abuse on victims, especially children, often has far-reaching physical, emotional, psychological and developmental effects. Insensitive and hostile treatment of victims in the criminal justice system causes secondary traumatisation, which results in victims suffering further trauma, and consequently withdrawing from the system.The complexities of working with victims of sexual violence require specialised intervention on the part of all stakeholders, and this includes the courtroom environment in which they are required to testify," Barrett said.

She added that she trusted that the court would bring relief to the community and ensure that cases were dealt with more efficiently. "We (the Western Cape) have the heaviest case load on its district court rolls."

Masutha said that police statistics showed a spike in the number of sexual offences. Rapes increased from 21 to 39 last year and attempted sexual offences from three to seven. There has also been an increase of assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm from 193 to 243 matters in the last year.

"The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has also reported an increase in the court backlog from 23, 25% to 30, 47%. The opening of the new court will assist in easing this worrisome court backlog.

Masutha said that he was pleased to announce that the department had embarked on an Extended Public Works Programme in order to enable the local communities, like the community of Plattenberg Bay and KwaNokuthula, to assume responsibility for maintaining and cleaning their own courts.

"Through this initiative we seek to alleviate the devastating effects of unemployment and poverty among poor communities."

According to Minister Masutha, "This is an investment for the future."

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