• Priscilla Monama
• 19 May 2026

One System. One Goal. A Safer South Africa.

Senior leaders from across the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster convened in Pretoria on 26–27 February 2026 for the IJS Strategic Planning Retreat. The gathering reflected on progress made, identified areas for strengthening, and agreed on shared priorities for the 2026/27 financial year; all in pursuit of a more integrated, efficient, and secure criminal justice system.

“The IJS will be judged on collective performance - not individual departmental achievements.”— Mr. N Munyai, IJSIC Chairperson

Harnessing technology for justice

A key focus of the retreat was the role of technology in modernising service delivery across the cluster. Members engaged with practical demonstrations of digital evidence management, body-worn cameras, and drone-based surveillance; exploring how these tools strengthen accountability, improve evidence integrity, and support faster case resolution. The retreat reaffirmed the value of departments sharing and leveraging existing technological solutions before pursuing new ones.

“Efficient evidence processing is essential for accelerating justice. While arrests form the first step, rapid case processing and prosecution are what restore public trust.”— Mr. A Managa, Border Management Authority

Cybersecurity as a shared responsibility

The retreat gave significant attention to the growing cybersecurity threat landscape facing South Africa’s criminal justice sector. Members agreed that a coordinated, cluster-wide security posture is far more effective than isolated departmental responses. Sustained investment in ICT security infrastructure and ongoing staff awareness remain priorities going into the new financial year.

Agreed priorities for 2026/27

The retreat reached consensus on a focused set of priorities to drive measurable impact across the justice value chain:

• Advancing integrated digital systems that connect policing, prosecution, courts, and corrections.
• Strengthening the cluster’s overall cybersecurity posture through a unified approach.
• Improving procurement coordination to reduce delays and achieve better value for government.
• Ensuring all departments contribute actively to shared integration milestones.
• Accelerating initiatives that directly reduce case backlogs and improve service delivery to citizens.

“Technology, when deployed coherently, enables the kind of operational efficiency that changes lives,  and that is precisely what we are here to build.”— Mr. N Munyai, IJSIC Chairperson