Rationalisation: what Phase 1 has, and has not, done
A national statement, and the building in which the roll is still called.
A seat is a building as well as a Gazette.
“Justice is done in a building, by a person, on a record.” On rationalisation
On 9 June 2026 the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, reported that Cabinet had approved the rationalisation reports and had authorised implementation in two phases. Phase 1, from 1 July 2026, concerns the gazetting and use of local seats where the infrastructure already exists. Guidelines on the appointment of acting judges, signed off by the Chief Justice, were also to take effect on 1 July 2026.
Members are asked to report, through the Alliance’s regional structures, any practical change since 1 July: a new local seat in the building, a change in acting arrangements, or a delay in a gazetting that the Ministry has treated as done. A national statement and a local reality are not always the same. The Alliance can raise the difference only if it is accurately described.
A note from Neelan Karikan. If something has changed at a local seat since 1 July, a short report through the regional structures will help the Alliance to brief accurately.