Restorative Justice is an approach to justice that aims to involve the parties to a dispute and others affected by the harm (victims, offenders, families concerned and community members) in solving a crime and preventing its recurrence. It’s about Reconciliation. However, some argue that justice must be punitive, whereas some, believe that, it has to be restorative.

In this week’s episode, we speak to Cornelia Nell, an attorney, to understand which laws underpin its understanding and give credit and authority to its existence, especially in criminal matters. Our second guest, Lesley Ann van Selm, the Managing director at Kulisa Social Solutions, discusses the implementation of restorative justice, and whether it can be a significant influence on crime rates, and prison population.

This edition of Law Focus is brought to by Wits Radio Academy: Executive producer, Simba Honde and co produced by Nelca Mositsa, Sesethu Zingelwa and hosted by Tshepo Mohapi and Millicent Ndiweni. Technical production provided by Kutlwano “Gwinch” Serame. wits.journalism.co.za