KEY POINTS
- Wynberg Court faces severe safety risks from weak security protocols which combine with defective metal scanner systems.
- Court personnel and the public encounter continuing dangers as shown by the recent shooting incident at Wynberg Court.
- Security plans from the government include remote hearing capabilities as well as enhanced precautions for vulnerable proceedings.
The Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg resides under deep fear due to a fatal shooting incident where one man received multiple gunshots in presence of staff alongside magistrates and public visitors.
Security deficiencies at South African courts have been reactivated as a concern after the attack sent prosecutors and judicial staff along with lawyers into a state of fear for their safety.
Lax security in courtrooms and complaints
The confidential prosecutor disclosed that employees had warned about security problems multiple times without receiving any response. A court official described the security issue to the prosecutor by stating that metal detection tools were broken at the same time as parties entering courtrooms received insufficient screening protocols.
The court relies on only eight security officers who mainly consist of female personnel to protect the facility from growing threats while lacking sufficient resources and staff to maintain adequate security measures.
Multiple occurrences of armed gang conflict have taken place in the building where members of gangs have attacked offices followed by violent fights. Multiple security breakdowns occur at the court without solution despite staff submissions for enhanced safety measures involving security entry gates.
The prosecutor emphasized the inadequate security measures that exist in the fourth floor of the building particularly when referring to high-risk case categories including murder and armed robbery.
The shooting incident and aftermath
The court experienced a dangerous shock on Tuesday which prompted everyone from staff to witnesses to panic. Multiple gunfire sounded while authorities immediately put the building under lockdown. The police force conducted thorough searches inside all courtrooms before reopening the building a few hours later.
Many prosecutors suffered traumatic reactions from the incident forcing them to take sick leave because of their severe distress and staff members received counseling support.
Government response and investigation
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane confirmed that the security breach was severe when she highlighted the defective metal detector as the reason why the shooter gained entry with their weapon.
She demonstrated urgency about the unreported detector malfunction because it put every court member at danger whether they were witnesses or judges or prosecutors or members of the public.
The Minister plans to sit down with court heads during this month to establish new protection protocols that will involve taking high-risk witness testimony outside of the courthouse.
The need for improved court security
The unidentified prosecutor confirmed the terrible incident yet stressed that the security failures continued to contribute to the expected outcome. Properly trained security staff combined with armed officers and sufficient resources are necessary to establish safe environments in all courts according to their assessment.
Concerns raised by lawmakers
Xola Nqola as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development expressed identical worries to the prosecutor through findings from KwaZulu-Natal courts during their committee oversight.
During his committee meetings Nqola verified that numerous metal detectors had failed to operate properly and he had already relayed this issue to the Department of Justice and Department of Public Works.
Nqola demanded that the department conduct a complete security evaluation to protect both judicial staff and courtroom visitors, by working on lax security in courtrooms.
