Chairperson, one of the key functions of a civil government is to protect society. This is the function that I think our present government has not yet fulfilled, although they are trying. We think that the levels of crime are still much too high and the courts somehow do not deal with this effectively.
Now we believe that the state bears the traditional sword of justice and must protect all of its citizens by demonstrating that crime doesn't pay.
Criminal elements, however, should fear the wrath of society as demonstrated by our government, the state, as this is the most effective way to combat crime. Although our legal system is based on principles of good common sense, our courts remain largely still inaccessible owing to a relative lack of sophistication amongst ordinary people.
The FD is in agreement with and will promote recent strides towards making the legal system more understandable and, therefore, more accessible to ordinary people. Therefore, we believe that much more funding should be made available for teaching people about our justice system.
Equality before the law is a prerequisite for a just society. However, in practice people are still discriminated against owing to their personal lack of education and sophistication.
The FD is of the view that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development should re-examine structures that limit accessibility to justice and recourse to the law by the majority of South Africans. The FD supports this Budget Vote. I thank you.