The Department of Justice and Constitutional Enhance (DJCOD) has ordered that safety be bolstered on the Wynberg Justice of the Peace’s Court docket, in Cape Town, following a fatal shooting interior the court building earlier this week.
A high-level delegation, led by DJCOD Director-Overall, Imply Doc Mashabane, conducted an oversight visit to the court on Thursday.
The delegation also included Acting Secretary-Overall within the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ), Imply Marelize Potgieter, and the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions within the Western Cape, Imply Nicolette Bell.
“The purpose of the visit was to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any security lapses had occurred. This intervention formed part of government’s response, with the objective of reviewing and strengthening security protocols at court facilities,” the division acknowledged in a commentary.
As half of immediate interventions, the Director-Overall has directed the set up of a safety scanner, the tightening of web admission to place a watch on to prosecutors’ and magistrates’ offices, and the enhanced vetting of court officers.
Furthermore, a chronicle on the incident will be drawn up and submitted to DJCOD Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi and Chief Justice, Mandisa Maya.
“The department reiterates its commitment to ensuring that courts remain places for the dispensation of justice and not places where crime is committed,” the division acknowledged.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) acknowledged it views the incident in a “serious light”.
“The Department of Justice and Constitutional Enhance, underneath whose delegation the Security of the Court docket falls, has been engaged on the enhancement of safety in and at some stage within the court precinct.
“As the Head of the Judiciary in the Province, the Judge President of the Western Cape Division of the High Court wishes to convey condolences to the family of the deceased, and expresses regret and support to the Judicial Officers, officials and the public who witnessed the incident,” the OCJ acknowledged.
The incident is currently underneath police investigation.
