A shooting in Cape Town’s Wynberg Magistrate’s Court raises concerns about court security, with the victim identified as an accused, not a witness
Key Points:
- Authorities identified the victim as the accused, not a witness.
- The shooting occurred inside the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court building, raising security concerns.
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Reports indicate that the victim had ties to the Junky Funky Kidz gang, which is involved in ongoing gang conflict.
A shooting inside the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court building in Cape Town has stunned the judiciary and raised questions about court security. The incident, consequently, occurred just before 11 a.m. on the fourth floor of the court building. The victim sustained three gunshot wounds to the head. While initial reports suggested the victim was a witness in a court case, authorities, however, later confirmed he was actually the accused.
Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Western Cape, clarified that the victim was not a witness. “The NPA has just received information that the deceased, who passed away following an alleged shooting inside the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court building, was an accused who appeared at Court D,” Ntabazalila said.
Shock and condemnation over shooting
The shooting shocked the public and raised concerns within the judicial community. The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development condemned the attack. Committee Chairperson Xola Nqola expressed deep concern over the incident. “Criminals have become so bold that, as a result, they do not care who they shoot or where they shoot,” Nqola said. “I struggle to comprehend how these criminals can take a court and turn it into a murder scene. This is a brazen attack where criminals fear no one. It is totally unacceptable.”
Security concerns raised
Security at the court building is now under scrutiny. Nqola raised concerns over how the attackers managed to enter the building armed. “What is more worrying, moreover, is the fact that these brutal attackers walked into a court building while armed.” They shot the victim in the lobby. He questioned, “How did they manage to enter the building with firearms without being detected?”
The committee will now revisit security protocols at all courts. The goal is to ensure the safety of judges, magistrates, legal practitioners, and the public.
Gang affiliations and ongoing conflict
Sources told IOL that the victim allegedly had ties to the Junky Funky Kidz (JFK) gang. People believed he was from the Vrygrond area near Muizenberg. The victim had reportedly survived several previous attempts on his life. Currently, there is an ongoing gang conflict between taxi drivers and the JFK gang in the Vrygrond area.
