The post-democratic South Africa saw a dramatic change of management and management approaches. The National Peace Accord, the African National Congress' Ready to Govern document and the constitutional dispensation paraded an intertwined alignment of government operations to new policies. Amongst these alignments is the accountability of the managers within the public service, and particularly the criminal justice system in this instance. Accountability is one of the hallmarks of democracy. In an effective democracy, the public servants serve and protect the interests of the society in accordance with the societal aspirations and legitimate expectations. Holding the public servants to account for their plans, actions and decisions ensure quality of the service rendered and alleviates unnecessary conflicts. Accountability also serves as a scrutiny instrument - a way of providing insulation against internal and external interferenc