12 May 2026 Goodhope Chamber
Theme: Building a Capable, Ethical and Accessible Justice System
Honourable Chairperson,
Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister,
Members of the Portfolio Committee,
Honourable Members,
The African National Congress rises in support of Budget Vote 25 and the 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
This Budget Vote is tabled during a historic period in our democratic journey as South Africa celebrates 30 years of the Constitution — a Constitution born from the struggles of our people and championed by the ANC as the leader of society and the principal architect of democratic transformation.
Chairperson,
The APP before us demonstrates clear alignment with the ANC Manifesto, the 2026 State of the Nation Address and the Medium-Term Development Plan. It advances the commitment to build a capable developmental state, strengthen the rule of law, modernise the justice system, and improve access to justice for the poor and working class.
Importantly, this APP does not merely present aspirations. It contains measurable, time-bound indicators and accountability mechanisms that respond directly to the oversight responsibilities of Parliament.
The ANC welcomes the Department’s strategic focus on building a capable, ethical and effective institution.
We note with appreciation the targets aimed at maintaining unqualified audit outcomes across the Vote Account, the President’s Fund, the Justice Administered Fund and the Guardian’s Fund. This demonstrates that the Department appreciates that public confidence in the justice system is inseparable from sound governance and prudent financial management.
Equally important are the corrective measures introduced to respond to concerns raised by the Auditor-General South Africa.
The APP includes concrete interventions such as:
* improving the resolution of audit findings on non-financial performance information;
* strengthening disciplinary processes;
* improving grievance resolution systems;
* expanding specialised training through Justice College; and
* modernising ICT infrastructure through LAN and WAN upgrades across hundreds of sites.
These interventions show a Department that is actively responding to weaknesses identified through oversight processes instead of ignoring them.
Chairperson,
The ANC further welcomes the Department’s emphasis on fiscal discipline under difficult economic conditions.
At a time of constrained public finances and slow economic growth, the APP reflects realistic targets linked to available resources. The Department is not promising miracles. It is prioritising efficiency, modernisation and measurable outcomes.
This is evident in the targets to:
* reduce criminal case backlogs;
* digitise services at the Master’s Office;
* improve turnaround times in maintenance, divorce and deceased estate matters;
* and ensure invoices are paid within 30 days.
These are practical interventions that affect the daily lived experiences of ordinary South Africans.
The ANC particularly welcomes the continued focus on access to justice for vulnerable groups.
The APP commits to:
* expanding sexual offences courts;
* upgrading courts to improve domestic violence support services;
* strengthening child justice systems;
* and increasing public education awareness on constitutional rights and justice services.
These interventions reinforce the ANC’s long-standing commitment that justice must not only exist in law books, but must be experienced by women, children, rural communities and the poor.
Chairperson,
The Department’s programme on social cohesion and constitutionalism is equally important.
As we commemorate 30 years of the Constitution, the ANC supports initiatives aimed at promoting equality, tolerance, human rights and nation-building. The Constitution remains the foundation upon which democratic transformation must continue.
The ANC also welcomes the commitment to support Community Advice Offices and expand free legal advice services to vulnerable communities. This is a critical intervention in deepening participatory democracy and ensuring that justice is accessible beyond urban centres.
Honourable Members,
The APP further demonstrates growing institutional maturity through stronger planning and coordination within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster.
The audit on resource requirements within the JCPS value chain, to be completed by October 2026, will assist in identifying structural weaknesses and improving coordination across the criminal justice system.
This is essential if the judiciary and broader justice sector are to become meaningful and effective players in combating crime, corruption and gender-based violence.
Chairperson,
The ANC supports this Budget Vote because it balances transformation with accountability, fiscal discipline with service delivery, and institutional reform with constitutional obligations.
This APP reflects a Department that understands the urgency of restoring public confidence in the justice system while remaining responsive to the economic realities facing the country.
The ANC therefore supports Budget Vote 25.
I thank you.