\n More than 35 judges and magistrates from across South Africa have completed two Commonwealth train-the-trainer workshops, designed to strengthen how courts handle cybercrime cases.\n <\/p>\n
Participants\u00a0will now go on to train their peers\u00a0in\u00a0the justice system, sharing practical knowledge and consistent approaches.\u00a0This will help improve how courts deal with crimes committed online, as well as cases involving electronic evidence that affect people and businesses every day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Supported by the UK\u2019s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the two workshops were held in Johannesburg from 1-5 December 2025 and 12-15 January 2026, in partnership with the South African Judicial Education Institute.<\/p>\n
Using\u00a0group exercises and mock cases, judges\u00a0and magistrates worked through the key steps courts deal with every day.\u00a0This\u00a0included\u00a0how electronic evidence is collected and admitted, how legal safeguards are applied, and how fair and proportionate decisions are\u00a0made\u00a0to hold offenders to account.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Participants also led mini-training sessions on\u00a0key\u00a0issues, including standard procedures for\u00a0issuing search warrants,\u00a0handling electronic\u00a0evidence\u00a0and applying mutual legal\u00a0assistance\u00a0in court proceedings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Protecting the vulnerable\u00a0<\/p>\n
One\u00a0participant,\u00a0Judge\u00a0Nolonwabo\u00a0Balele\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0Free State province,\u00a0said the training clarified how to handle digital evidence in court.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThe main thing I learned is how digital evidence should be admitted, what to look for, and how to balance that evidence while protecting the rights of the accused.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Judge Balele also highlighted the responsibility judges have in protecting vulnerable victims, particularly women and girls.<\/p>\n
She added:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJudges\u00a0are the buffer between society and those who target the vulnerable.\u00a0The lives of vulnerable people are in\u00a0the\u00a0hands\u00a0of judges\u00a0once cases come before the court.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Judge\u00a0Balele\u00a0said the impact of the training would extend beyond the workshops, adding that participants\u00a0would pass on the knowledge to judges across the country\u00a0to bolster the response to\u00a0cybercrime.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Acting Judge President Andre Petersen from South Africa\u2019s\u00a0North West\u00a0province\u00a0described cybercrime as a serious challenge, saying it has \u201cworrying impacts\u201d on businesses, public institutions and citizens,\u00a0with annual costs exceeding\u00a0ZAR 2.2 billion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He\u00a0added:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJudges are trained in the law, but most judges are not tech-savvy. This workshop helps judges learn the intricacies of digital crimes and\u00a0identify\u00a0our shortcomings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need a judiciary that can keep pace with the digital age and is not stuck in the age before technology, and that is why this initiative is so important.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Staying ahead\u00a0<\/p>\n
Judge\u00a0Petersen\u00a0expressed hope that continued judicial training would help courts stay ahead of criminals and\u00a0reduce\u00a0the impact\u00a0of cybercrime in South Africa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In his remarks, British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson highlighted the\u00a0urgency\u00a0of the challenge,\u00a0citing a 2024 survey which found that 47 per cent of organisations in South Africa experienced at least one cyber-attack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole breadth of our law enforcement landscape needs to be equipped to deal with\u00a0this issue.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJudges are critical stakeholders in the cyber law enforcement pipeline.\u00a0Having them all present is an important opportunity to help build resilience against our shared cyber threats.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General, Professor Luis G. Franceschi\u00a0said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur vision is a self-sustaining national capacity\u00a0where\u00a0judges\u00a0in\u00a0South Africa can confidently investigate, assess, and adjudicate cyber-related matters.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He encouraged participants to share what they have learned with colleagues to strengthen how courts\u00a0handle\u00a0cybercrime\u00a0cases, adding: \u201cWe cannot guarantee success, but we guarantee failure by giving up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n