Pretoria: The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has been allocated a budget of nearly R3.4 billion for the 2026/27 financial year to facilitate administration, Superior Court Services, as well as Judicial Education and Support. The budget was tabled by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ and CD) Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.
According to South African Government News Agency, this allocation includes around R1.4 billion from the Direct Charges allocation intended for the remuneration of judges. The OCJ will also leverage a once-off allocation from the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA) amounting to R127 million as an additional funding mechanism to enhance safety, security, and adequate court administration. This funding aims to complement existing resources to boost operational capacity and support the ongoing modernization and efficient functioning of the courts.
Additionally, the OCJ has received further support to bolster the capacity of the courts. R883.8 million is being transferred from the department to the OCJ over the medium term, allowing the Judiciary greater control over its administrative and financial functions. Furthermore, R687 million has been allocated to increase judicial capacity, targeting improvements in court operations, administrative support, and the efficiency of the court system. The Minister emphasized the budget allocation as a strategic investment in judicial governance, the effective operation of the Superior Courts, and the advancement of an independent and capable system of court administration.
Kubayi highlighted a 'significant milestone' reached on 1 April 2026, when Phase 1 of the transition to institutional independence began with the transfer of retained and shared services related to the Superior Courts from the department to the OCJ. Services transferred include Security Services, Facilities Management Services, Library Services, and Information and Communication Technology services. The transition is set to further inform and be integrated into a broader organizational structure review process. The next phase will focus on enacting legislation to establish the Judiciary as a co-equal branch of government, expected to be completed during the 2026/27 Financial Year.
The Court Online system has been implemented in 21 Superior Courts, with the remaining three courts to be completed in the new financial year. The development of the Criminal Module is also advancing, ensuring secure and sustainable court systems across jurisdictions. The once-off funding from CARA will refresh court recording technology and support further installation of the Scheduling and Operations Support (SOS) in identified courts. The OCJ will prioritize maintaining reliable courtroom operations through assessment, maintenance, and repair of existing equipment across court facilities.
Security at courts has faced scrutiny due to rising threats and intimidation directed at Presiding Officers, particularly in cases involving organized crime and high-profile litigation. Several incidents have occurred at judicial facilities, highlighting risks exacerbated by inconsistent protective measures and infrastructural weaknesses. In response, the OCJ is developing a security strategy to protect judicial officers and infrastructure, focusing on improving protection measures and tracking the implementation of initiatives to enhance security across the Superior Courts.