Johannesburg – The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) says it has been made aware of a shooting incident at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, in Cape Town, Western Cape.
Initial reports said a witness was shot dead inside the court on Tuesday, (8 April 2025), but it has since been confirmed that the deceased was an accused person who had just made a court appearance.
“This incident is viewed in a serious light and is currently under investigation by the South African Police Service,” the OCJ said in a terse statement made available to The Bulrushes on Thursday, (10 April 2025).
“The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, under whose delegation the Security of the Court falls, has been engaged on the enhancement of security in and around 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.”
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate Doc Mashabane, together with the Acting Secretary-General in the Office of the Chief Justice, Advocate Marelize Potgieter, and the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape province, Advocate Bell, conducted a site visit to the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court in Cape Town.
The department said 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 meeting was attended by a range of key stakeholders, including the Chief Magistrate of Wynberg, senior officials from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, prosecutors, court administrators, security officers, as well as representatives from the South African Police Service.
The Director-General engaged with stakeholders from the Office of the Chief Justice, the National Prosecuting Authority, Legal Aid South Africa, the South African Police Service, and senior officials within the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
The discussions focused on evaluating current security measures and identifying appropriate corrective actions where necessary.
Ndwakhulu Rambau, National Head of Security in the Department, as well as the Western Cape Provincial Head of Security, were also part of the delegation and contributed to the technical assessment and recommendations.
The South African Police Service confirmed that an investigation was underway to bring the perpetrators to book.
As part of immediate interventions, the Director-General directed the installation of a security scanner, the tightening of access control to prosecutors’ and magistrates’ offices, and the enhanced vetting of court officials.
The Director-General further directed that officials urgently finalise a report on the entire incident, which will be submitted to Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.
The department reiterated its commitment to ensuring that courts remain places for the dispensation of justice and not places where crime is committed.
