The then Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development announced the Judicial Cluster System and Court Management Plan as Governmental Policy in a policy statement dated 15 May 1997 as well as in his address to the National Council of Provinces [15 May 1997], National Assembly [20 May 1997] and at the opening of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association Triennial Conference [27 October 1997]. The Minister also confirmed the Government Policy with regard to the Judicial Cluster System and Court Management Plan in writing to the Magistrates Commission on 22 April 1997.