A major public–civil society partnership is set to breathe new life into the Johannesburg High Court precinct, with an ambitious plan to overhaul ageing infrastructure, improve safety and restore dignity to one of the city’s most important institutions.
The initiative follows the signing of a landmark agreement between the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, and Jozi My Jozi, the fast-growing civic coalition known for spearheading major clean-up and infrastructure improvement projects across the inner city.
A Historic Collaboration to Fix a Failing Precinct
Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi, Deputy Minister of Public Works Mpumi Zikalala and Jozi My Jozi chair Prof Maurice Radebe formalised the deal earlier this month, giving Jozi My Jozi the green light to tackle long-standing maintenance and environmental issues around the High Court on Pritchard Street.
The court precinct — bordered by Pritchard, Von Wielligh and Von Brandis streets — has long suffered from broken lifts, decaying restrooms, unreliable utilities and unsafe conditions for judges, staff and ordinary residents seeking justice.
Jozi My Jozi, now backed by 146 partners across government and the private sector, says it is ready to get to work.
Jozi My Jozi: From Iconic Bridges to the High Court
The civic organisation has gained citywide recognition for successful interventions such as the refurbishment of the Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth bridges. Those projects included deep-cleaning, graffiti removal, restoring lighting, repainting and improving safety features.
Now, the group is preparing for its most ambitious undertaking yet — one that will run into tens of millions of rands.
“We consider no mission too big,” said Jozi My Jozi CEO Bea Swanepoel. “If it benefits the people of Joburg, it’s worth doing. We have partners who are committed to seeing the city functional again.”
Swanepoel described the agreement as a critical milestone that finally aligns municipal, provincial and national government cooperation with community-driven action.
What Will Be Fixed?
Under the agreement, Jozi My Jozi and its partners will carry out major repairs and upgrades, including:
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Fully functional lifts inside the court
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Restored and hygienic ablution facilities
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Backup water storage to stabilise supply
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Electrical and energy solutions, including backup power
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Better seating and office conditions for staff
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Enhanced security around the precinct
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Clean, accessible streets around the court
Work will be scheduled as far as possible during court recess periods to minimise disruptions.
A Boost for Access to Justice
The Department of Justice says the partnership is more than a beautification project — it is directly tied to strengthening access to justice in Johannesburg.
Kubayi’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, said this type of collaboration is essential as the department faces infrastructure needs of approximately R1.6 billion nationally, with limited budgets and multiple sectors competing for funding.
“This memorandum of understanding is a meaningful and well-structured collaboration,” said Manase. “The minister hopes to see more partnerships like this — partnerships that make the justice system more accessible and more responsive to the needs of the public.”
Not Just an Inner-City Issue
Jozi My Jozi’s head of stakeholder relations, Innocent Mabusela, said extensive negotiations went into the agreement, ensuring transparent procurement processes and strict due diligence.
“Fixing Joburg is not just an inner-city matter — it’s a shared responsibility,” said Mabusela. “This agreement shows what is possible when everyone plays their part.”
A full investigation into the extent of the High Court project is now under way, after which contractors will move in.
A Court With a Deep History
The Johannesburg High Court, now the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court, is one of the country’s most historically significant judicial institutions. Built in 1904 and redesigned in 1932 into its iconic Art Deco style, it has hosted some of South Africa’s most important cases, including:
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S v Makwanyane (1995) – which abolished the death penalty
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Rail Commuters Action Group v Transnet (2004) – defining commuter safety obligations
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Mohamed v President of the RSA (2001) – restricting extraditions to countries with death penalty risks
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The trial of Daisy de Melker in 1932
Its 42 courtrooms — 18 dedicated to criminal matters — make it a cornerstone of the justice system.
A Chance to Restore a Joburg Landmark
For years, the High Court has symbolised an inner city battling decline. Now, with civil society stepping in where government cannot meet the full demand, residents may finally see long-overdue rehabilitation.
If successful, the partnership could become a model for reinvigorating other deteriorating public facilities across Johannesburg.