Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng recently issued directives on how the courts were to operate in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although the Constitutional Court and other superior courts are presently on recess, which does not apply to the lower/Magistrate courts, all courts would, notwithstanding the Coronavirus pandemic, continue to operate to a limited extent to deal with urgent matters.
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The Chief Justice has, in terms of section 165 of the Constitution and section 8 of the Superior Courts Act, already delegated the authority to make customised directives to all heads of superior and lower/Magistrate courts.
This will enable courts to remain open and operational to a limited extent as determined by the head of each court after consultation with their colleagues at that court.
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Broadly, the courts will, as an essential service, remain open for the filing of papers and hearing of urgent applications, bail applications and appeals or matters relating to violations of liberty, domestic violence, maintenance and matters involving children.
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