JOHANNESBURG - The country's court system is battling a severe backlog.
Some trials are being allocated dates only in 2031.
The Gauteng Division of the High Court believes some of these cases can be resolved through mediation.
READ: Court backlog | Over 100,000 cases yet to be finalised
But, it's been criticised for this, with some saying the directive breaches the right of access to courts.
Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo said the criticism is not correct.
"We are not saying people cannot come to court.
"We are saying that before they come to court, they must go via mediation to make sure that when they come to court, they're matter is one of those that genuinely require the attention of a judge," he said.