NELSPRUIT – Justice will prevail as acting magistrate of the Sexual Offences Court, Mr Roelf Smith has had his contract renewed for another three months. This comes after a national meeting was held with all the provinces’ presidential magistrates and the deputy minister of justice and constitutional development, Mr John Jeffery in Pretoria.
The gathering took place last Thursday. Smith confirmed that at the last minute his contract was extended on Monday for another three months.
A source told Lowvelder that the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court had received numerous complaints about his contract not being renewed.
Smith who had had a lot of community support due to his fairness in handing out justice, had been working as an acting magistrate in the Lowveld for eight years.
Previously, his contract had not been extended so January would have been his last month at the court.
Smith, who holds four degrees in law and is also a qualified advocate, said he had dedicated his life to serving the people and even though financially it would be a lot more profitable to move to the private sector, he was happy to work in his position although a permanent post would be better.
Child Welfare operations manager Mr Johan Bosch said Smith had been involved in various cases with regard to child abuse and gender-based violence, and his driving force was to help victims and serve justice.
“Child abuse and sexual offences are rapidly increasing in South Africa and we need suitably qualified and competent magistrates to deal with such issues. We cannot allow the justice system to fail our children and victims of sexual abuse.”
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