31/10/2025
Speech of Hentie Nortjé, as Councillor in the Tshwane of Metro, on the delay with the construction of the new Mamelodi Magistrates' Court - 30 October 2025
"Speaker,
The purpose of this report is to request permission to rectify a deed of donation entered into between the City of Tshwane Metro and the Public Works and Infrastructure Department on the 19th of September 2007 and subsequent transfer of a portion of the Farm Mamelodi, as well as Erven 40820 and 40821 Mamelodi in terms of section 14 of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Transfer should have taken place years ago for the construction of a proper and functional Magistrates’ Court in Mamelodi.
I visited Mamelodi Magistrates’ Court (hereinafter referred to as “Mamelodi Court”) again on the 28th of October 2025 and found that the incorrect donation and subsequent extended delay in the transfer of the land resulted in a situation where the Family Court, Maintenance Court and Domestic Violence Court, amongst others, are facilitated in containers.
I also discussed the work environment with some of the Clerks at the Civil Court, who are disillusioned and who don’t believe that a newly constructed Court for Mamelodi will ever become a reality.
The situation at the Mamelodi Court reminds me of the current situation at the Sammy Marks Municipal Court, where we found on a recent inspection in loco that there is not even a formally furbished court room.
The DA was, and is still, in support of the construction of a functional Mamelodi Court, because we believe in the supremacy of the South African Constitution and the Rule of Law.
The DA furthermore stands for fairness, and do we believe the current circumstances under which attorneys, advocates, magistrates and court personnel must perform at the Mamelodi Court are anything but fair.
I trust that both parties to this donation will investigate the reasons for this extended delay with the Mamelodi Court debacle and that those responsible for this fiasco will face consequence management, because the people of Mamelodi and the surrounding areas, together with the court personnel, deserve better – MUCH better!
Thank you, Speaker."
