Africa Criminal Justice Reform (ACJR)

Latest News

The Final Cape Declaration Adopted by Consensus - Decriminalising Poverty and Status [27 and 29 September 2022]

Cape Declaration on Decriminalising Poverty and Status, adopted by consensus by ... Cape Declaration on Decriminalising Poverty and Status, adopted by consensus by the participants of the convening of the Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status held in Stellenbosch, South Africa between 27 and 29 September 2022.

Feb 09, 2023

Newspaper Article: ‘Leap’ patrols appear to make a difference | By Jean Redpath

Officers of Western Cape’s anticrime programme work closely with police and th ... Officers of Western Cape’s anticrime programme work closely with police and they often have joint operations

Sep 19, 2022

New Report: Overview and key findings COVID-19 restrictions and the impact on criminal justice and human rights (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa & Zambia)

By L Muntingh, J Mangwanda, K Petersen, T Lorizzo and V Petrovic ... By L Muntingh, J Mangwanda, K Petersen, T Lorizzo and V Petrovic

Jul 28, 2022

ISSUE PAPERS: Key issues in the NPA - Are we understanding the problem correctly?

In a series of five Issue Papers, Lukas Muntingh and Jean Redpath take a few ste ... In a series of five Issue Papers, Lukas Muntingh and Jean Redpath take a few steps back and ask whether we are indeed problematising the correct issues and, if so, are we problematising the issue in a manner that will restore trust and thus legitimacy in the NPA. From this position we can also examine our current and future expectations of the NPA.

Mar 18, 2022

The Detention Justice Forum responds to findings of solitary confinement in SA prisons

The Detention Justice Forum (DJF) released a statement in response to the findin ... The Detention Justice Forum (DJF) released a statement in response to the findings of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Service on solitary confinement in South African prisons.

Jan 19, 2022

ACJR Publications

Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors | Survey Analysis

This report provides an analysis of a survey of Magistrates' perceptions of pros ... This report provides an analysis of a survey of Magistrates' perceptions of prosecutors conducted in 2022. Prepared by Michael O’Donovan with Jean Redpath

Feb 22, 2023

Presentation: Prosecutors Matter - Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors

This presentation was made at a webinar on Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecu ... This presentation was made at a webinar on Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors: Survey Analysis, 22 February 2023

Feb 22, 2023

ANALYSIS: Do we still need a police minister? | By Lukas Muntingh

Having a cabinet member with an exclusive focus on the police has had at least f ... Having a cabinet member with an exclusive focus on the police has had at least four immediate adverse consequences, argues Lukas Muntingh. He asks if it is time for an evaluation of this role.

Jan 23, 2023

ANALYSIS: Murder, discipline and the police | By Lukas Muntingh

A decline in disciplinary actions does not mean that the police are more discipl ... A decline in disciplinary actions does not mean that the police are more disciplined than before

Nov 02, 2022

Presentation: Summary report on civil society consultations - "The NPA that we want" | By Lukas Muntingh

This presentation was made at a webinar on The NPA that we want, 17 October 2022 ... This presentation was made at a webinar on The NPA that we want, 17 October 2022.

Oct 18, 2022

Summary report on consultations with civil society stakeholders: “The NPA that we want”

Much of the media attention given to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is ... Much of the media attention given to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is centered on high-level corruption investigations, especially linked to the Zondo Commission’s findings and recommendations. While this is important, it should also be asked what happens at ground-level in our courts where ordinary cases are heard on a daily basis. The question can indeed be asked: What are our expectations of the NPA when having to engage with the criminal justice system as a victim, witness or even an accused? Do we know what we want from the NPA in real and practical terms? In June and July 2022 ACJR commissioned a series of consultation workshops with stakeholders to discuss these questions and develop descriptions of “the NPA that we want”. The consultations yielded valuable observations and insights, demonstrating on the one hand that people generally have a deep understanding of the challenges facing the NPA and, on the other hand, clear understandings of what they expect of the NPA, especially as these relate to the four core values of professionalism, independence, accountability, and credibility.

Oct 17, 2022

Events

Webinar: Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors: Survey Analysis, 22 February 2023

What do magistrates think about prosecutors? ACJR’s work on the National Pros ... What do magistrates think about prosecutors? ACJR’s work on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has included attempts at measuring perceptions of stakeholders, particularly those with direct experience of the prosecution.

Feb 16, 2023

Webinar: The NPA that we want, 17 October 2022

Under the current National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) four core valu ... Under the current National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) four core values were articulated, being professionalism, independence, accountability and credibility. What do any of these values look like in practice and how will we know when we see it?

Oct 10, 2022

Webinar: COVID-19 restrictions and the impact on criminal justice and human rights, Zambia (12 October 2022)

ACJR, Ubuntu Justice Initiative, and the Zambian Law Development Commission (ZLD ... ACJR, Ubuntu Justice Initiative, and the Zambian Law Development Commission (ZLDC) hereby cordially invite you to a webinar to discuss the findings emanating from the stakeholder engagement in Zambia and to deliberate on recommendations for handling similar future public health crises.

Oct 06, 2022

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