19 Aug 2018

The Administration of Justice aims to boost regional and global presence and ranking by the achievement of a just, efficient and speedy dispensation of justice.

Speaking at the Administration of Justice excellence awards ceremony recently, Chief Justice, Mr Terence Rannowane said such would transform the country into a preferred destination for foreign direct investment and thereby contribute to the creation of the much needed jobs, especially for the young population.

He said the key driver for the attainment of a transformed and reformed judiciary was the workforce who ought to exhibit and radiate service excellence, innovation, inclusivity and botho as their alter ego.

“Our success as an organisation depends on discarding the business as usual approach,” he said.

Mr Rannowane said the theme for this year’s awards ceremony: Rewarding service excellence in pursuit of a world class judiciary dovetailed with their goal of making the Administration of Justice the employer of choice.

He said this could be attained by resolving the myriad issues highlighted in his introductory visits following his appointment and assumption of office as Chief Justice.

“The welfare of employees in my view is a primary priority as employees are the oxygen of any organisation,” he said, adding when employees felt good about being at work, they performed better which in turn was good for the organisation and country.

“We need to cultivate and embrace a culture of productivity where employees not only report for duty but are on duty,” he said.

Having spent close to three decades within the organisation, Mr Rannowane said he was aware of concerns among some of his team members with regard to fairness in promotions and progressions, fairness and transparency in training opportunities and transfers, provision of housing accommodation and allowances such as commuted and standby.

“These welfare matters have a bearing on performance and service excellence. Your concerns are my concerns and rest assured that we shall deal with and address all complaints raised at previous fora since a generally happy and content staff will give all its focus to service delivery,” he said.

Mr Rannowane cautioned those few among them who were lethargic, dodgy and exhibit a cavalier attitude in the discharge of their duties that they would find the heat too much and inevitably wither and fall by the wayside.

He said supervisors at all levels were required and expected to discharge their duties fairly, without prejudice, fear or favour and take appropriate action where necessary.

Mr Rannowane said he desired to achieve a 21st century judiciary driven by envisaged reforms of e-filling, court annexed mediation and the roll out of real time court reporting. ENDS