Justice Delayed: South African Families Waiting for Closure

Thu Jan 08 2026 03:01:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The plight of families in South Africa waiting years for justice highlights systemic failures within the country's judicial system. The long delays are leaving many in a state of limbo, exacerbating emotional pain and financial strain.

In South Africa, families like Jason Venter's grapple with long waits for justice, particularly in cases of gender-based violence. With the justice system buried under approximately 100,000 pending cases, victims' families face emotional and financial hardships as trial dates are set years into the future. The delays have been attributed to severe staff shortages and administrative issues, leading to a crisis in public trust towards the legal framework.

In South Africa, families face the unbearable wait for justice, as the legal system struggles with immense backlogs, leaving many victims’ relatives in emotional and financial turmoil. Jason Venter has been waiting for over two years for the trial of his mother's alleged killer, a situation that underscores a crisis within the nation's justice framework. With tens of thousands of cases pending, some accused wait for trial dates well into the future, profoundly affecting those left behind.

The case of Jason's mother, Charlene, who died from injuries sustained when her car was set alight in May 2023, exemplifies this ordeal. Jason describes the delays in court as compounded loss, stating, Each postponement feels like losing my mother again.”

This delay trend is alarming, with estimates suggesting over 100,000 cases are stuck in the system at various stages. A significant contributor to this backlog is the shortage of judges; South Africa has only about 250 judges serving a population exceeding 60 million, leading to disillusionment with the justice system.

As the struggles continue, families remain in limbo, yearning for resolution and the chance to heal from their losses. Government officials acknowledge the issues and are calling for reforms, yet many victims’ advocates argue that the justice system's fundamental failures persist.