‘South Africa’s system of criminal justice is in a crisis. If its ability to prevent, process and deter crime is any measure of its effectiveness, then reforming the system is now not only a necessity but a national priority. Unfortunately, the system is not easily fixed; it is not characterised by a single problem that can be resolved speedily, but is characterised by blockages, many of which cause delays in other parts of the criminal justice pipeline.”
For many, these words from Dr Mark Shaw in an Institute for Security Studies publication ring as true today as they did in 1996 when first published.
Source: Cape Argus