Madam Chairperson, I wish to indicate to the hon member that the Legal Aid Board is one of the many stakeholders involved in the criminal justice system that assist in promoting access to justice, particularly as far as awaiting- trial prisoners are concerned. In fact, one of the priority programmes of the Legal Aid Board is the reduction of the number of unrepresented accused going through the criminal justice system.
The board has focused on children awaiting trial as well as those accused that have awaited trial for a long period. The board assists in the reduction of overcrowding in prisons through the following interventions: Legal aid clinics are held twice a month at prisons accommodating awaiting- trial prisoners to inform prisoners of their rights within the criminal justice system as well as to access to legal services.
Secondly, a special awaiting-trial project that focuses on individual tracking of cases of all accused that have been awaiting trial for periods greater than 12 months has been implemented and is monitored by the Legal Aid Board's national and regional offices. The system would individually track causes of delays with a view to resolution. Thirdly, Legal Aid Board capacity at reception courts has also been strengthened. As the whole explanation had been given on this, I won't read it because of time constraints. As for visiting prisons that house awaiting- trial prisoners through the Legal Aid Board prison-linked projects, I have also explained that to you in the previous question.
Fourthly, we have the prioritising of awaiting-trial detainees to ensure that before or after the time of their first appearance at court they have legal representation and the assisting of awaiting-trial detainees who cannot afford bail of R1 000 or less to have their bail reviewed and to establish dedicated units to deal with vulnerable groups and to, for example, establish 13 children units since the 2006-2007 financial year.
Lastly, we have started with the Police Service to try and create a system that, every time someone who wants legal aid is picked up, will inform us at the time of the arrest and not at the time of the first appearance in court. That system is busy unfolding. There are pilot projects in some areas to do that and I think this will change things quite dramatically.
I would also refer the hon member to my reply to parliamentary Question 140 where I have highlighted the interventions of the board which is just in the previous question. Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Deployment of, and casualties sustained by SA National Defence Force personnel
144. Mr O M Thetjeng (DA) asked the Minister of Defence:
(1) With regard to the deployment of SANDF personnel to assist in various African countries, (a) how many defence personnel are currently in South Africa and (b) by when will the contingent sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo be allowed to return;
(2) whether any of the SANDF personnel deployed have been affected by any serious casualties in the recent six months; if so, what are the relevant details? CO2895E