UCT’s Law, Race and Gender research group is against the Traditional Courts Bill

We also heard from Dr Sindiso Mnisi-Weeks - Senior Researcher for UCT’s Law, Race and Gender research group. We were talking about how the Traditional Courts Bill will impact on the rural communities, women in particular. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development introduced the Traditional Courts Bill in March 2008 on the basis that it would improve “access to justice” by giving proper recognition to the traditional justice system in a manner consistent with values in customary law and the Constitution. Dr Mnisi-Weeks says the Bill is unconstitutional and should not be passed into law. The Bill, now sitting before the National Council of Provinces, is undergoing a nationwide provincial consultation process, which began last week and is scheduled to conclude in May. For further information you can contact visit their website www.lrg.uct.ac.za