Deputy Speaker, this statement is entitled "New court brings justice to Ashton in the Boland, Western Cape". Owing to the fact that many South Africans, particularly the poor, interact with the judicial system at local court level, the ANC has committed itself to providing more resources to lower courts so as to improve their capacity and accessibility. Therefore, the ANC welcomes the opening of the multimillion rand red-brick Ashton magistrate's court by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, the hon Jeff Thamsanqa Radebe, on Tuesday, 15 May 2012.
After many years without direct access to services such as a family court and a magistrate's court, Ashton residents will have access to a continual civil justice service. The opening of this court will also help lessen the Montagu court's backlog of cases. We therefore commend the ANC government for ensuring that rural communities, such as Ashton, will be able to easily access court services on their doorstep. Thank you.