The government on Wednesday tabled proposed amendments to the Juvenile Justice Act which, once passed, will see juveniles being tried together with adults for offences they are accused of committing together which cannot be disposed of by summary trial.
According to the Bill’s explanatory memorandum, the amendment will save judicial time and money; but notes importantly that it also allows the Court to employ all necessary measures it considers appropriate, to ensure the best interest of the juvenile remains paramount.
Tabled before the National Assembly by Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, the amendment seeks the insertion of two new subsections, following subsection (4) of Section 36 of the principal Act which provides for a juvenile’s appearance before the court.