adminGOVERNMENT has instituted investigations into the use of the Court Retention Fund amid reports that the money has not benefited certain arms of the Judicial Service Commission.
The JSC, which administers the fund, is supposed to retain 40 percent; while National Prosecuting Authority gets 30 percent; the Attorney-General’s Office 20 percent; and the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs 10 percent.
The JSC is reportedly colelcting US$1 million every month.
Responding to a question from the floor during a workshop on the role of the Justice Ministry, Permanent Secretary Mrs Virginia Mabhiza said Government was increasingly concerned about the use of the Court Retention Fund.
“We are engaging at the highest level to deal with that issue, as a ministry we haven’t got our share since January,” she revealed.
The NPA was operationalised in January this year after being weaned off from the Attorney-General’s Office, and has not received a cent.
“The ministry has an important responsibility towards all independent institutions under its purview including the NPA,” Mrs Mabhiza said.
She added that the NPA’s regulations were in place but were yet to be gazetted. This has seen the authority using Public Service Regulations and procedures in dealing with disciplinary issues.
“In that regard, the ministry is ensuring that all disciplinary issues in the NPA are being done procedurally to avoid appeals against disciplinary procedures,” she noted.
Online Reporter