Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has signed the proclamation to bring into operation the Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Act and the Superior Courts Act.
Both laws come into operation today.
“The coming into operation of the Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Act is of fundamental importance to our democracy, as it entrenches our highest court in the land as the upper guardian of our Constitution and the rule of law.
“The 11 judges of the Apex Court in the land have the enormous responsibility of not only guiding other courts in South Africa but also of ensuring that the laws passed by our democratic Parliament are in line with the Constitution,’’ President Zuma said.
The Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Act is implemented with the Superior Courts Act, which today repeals the old-order Supreme Court Act of 1959 which regulated the High Courts.
“The Superior Courts Act provides a workable framework to increase the capacity of the courts, improve court management and reorganise judicial boundaries to promote access to justice.
“Through this Act more circuit High Courts will be established to ensure that High Courts are more accessible to the communities within their close proximity.
“The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development oversees the implementation of these Acts in liaison with the Chief Justice of the Republic and the entire judiciary to ensure a smooth transition,” Zuma said. – SAnews.gov.za
