Justice system gets close to communities
ALEXANDRA - The community of Alexandra was recently brought closer to the criminal justice system through a crime and justice awareness exercise by the National Prosecution Authority.
THE COMMUNITY of Alexandra was recently brought closer to the criminal justice system through a crime and justice awareness workshop by the National Prosecution Authority.
The exercise was conducted as part of a national drive to develop relations between the justice system and communities.
The authority staff went door to door educating communities on the role players responsible for dispensing justice. This was followed by a workshop where police and court officials described different aspects of the law and procedures that are followed in reporting crime.
Phindile Louw of the prosecuting authority said residents responded well to the visits, and due to privacy provided, residents were able to speak about concerns they often were too afraid to reveal in public concerning crime. Louw added that hostel dwellers and women were most receptive and sought advice.
“The interaction indicated residents’ limited knowledge of the law and its application. People don’t understand the bail process, don’t know how to work with the police, and the importance of getting details of police officials who attend to them in case they needed to follow up on cases,” Louw said.
She added that as crime was caused by other community members, residents should act as the eyes and ears of law enforcement agencies. “The door-to-door campaign seemed to raise their awareness of the importance of collaborating with the police and also [about] attending court sessions until the conclusion of cases they may have brought for adjudication,” she said.
In the workshop, the police urged residents to attend public meetings for more advice on their role in curbing crime, and to receive advice on how to protect evidence, act as witnesses and how to prepare for court until the resolution of cases.
Also, they advised participants to use Community Policing Forums and community patrollers, as they were critical links with the justice system.
Prosecuting authority officials advised residents to act proactively in reporting crime and that their services were designed to enable such reporting. They said the services were rendered in a dignified manner and with sensitivity, especially in cases which required privacy like sexual assaults and abuse of children.
They added that other cases did not require court adjudication but were resolved through mediation and diversion to avoid unnecessary incarceration of offenders and to avoid criminal records.
