Chairperson, the ANC-led government's vision to have dedicated courts to handle cases during the World Cup has paid off. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has set up 56 courts across the country, specifically dealing with World Cup-related crimes.
According to figures released by the department, the courts dealt with 172 cases since they opened on 28 May up to 04 July.
The majority of those cases - about 139 in total - have already been finalised. There has been 104 convictions; 33 postponements; 28 cases were withdrawn and 7 people were acquitted. Approximately 45,35% of the cases were in Gauteng; while 25% were in the Western Cape; followed by the Eastern Cape with 12,21%. Of the cases that were heard by the courts, 59 were theft related, with the selling of World Cup tickets; 23 were common robbery; 11 were fraud; and 10 also featured high up on the list.
We commend the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development's foresight in the opening of these dedicated courts as an integral part of the national security plan intended for the 2010 Fifa World Cup tournament. We have shown the world that together we can do ngcono [better.]