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The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamaloko Kubayi and Chief Justice Mandisa Maya met Heads of Court in Midrand on 13 November 2025. The high-level meeting took place at the Office of the Chief Justice and forms part of ongoing work to build a single, independent judicial system in South Africa.
What Happened
Minister Kubayi and Chief Justice Maya held consultations with senior judicial leaders. They discussed progress toward establishing the South African judiciary as a fully independent institution. The engagement comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed government’s commitment to judicial independence earlier this year.
The meeting also reviewed steps required to strengthen the courts’ administrative and financial autonomy.
Official Response
The Department said the reforms will give courts the power to manage their own budgets, administration, and infrastructure. A joint committee is finalising the implementation plan.
The process includes a phased transfer of key functions to the Office of the Chief Justice. The Department confirmed that supporting legislation is already under development to ensure a smooth transition.
Community Impact
Stronger judicial independence is expected to improve accountability, enhance efficiency, and protect the integrity of the court system. It also strengthens public confidence by reducing government influence over court operations. Once fully implemented, the reforms will support a judiciary that is more transparent, responsive, and accessible to all South Africans.
