Office of the Chief Justice to control own budget from April 1

The South African Judiciary’s long-standing calls for independence are bearing fruit.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, in his 2026 Budget Speech. announced that over the medium term, R883 million was shifted from the Department of Justice to the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ).
Godongwana says the move allows the OCJ to be in control of its own budget and by extension enhance its independence from the executive from the 1st of April this year.
“Over the medium term, R883 million is shifted from the Department of Justice and Correctional Development to the Office of the Chief Justice. This will enable the Office of the Chief Justice to manage its own budget and enhance its independence from the executive from the 1st of April this year. An additional R687 million has been allocated to increase capacity in the judiciary over the medium term.”
Finance Minister delivers 2026 Budget Speech 

www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/office-of-the-chief-justice-to-control-own-budget-from-april-1/