Key points
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A shooting at Wynberg Magistrate’s Court resulted in a fatality.
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Attorney Ben Mathewson blames lack of electronic screening for the incident.
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A 2020 High Court order to improve security was ignored.
On April 8, 2025, a man was shot and killed inside the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town.
Dingalomoyo Chintso, 49, was waiting for his court hearing on charges of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The shooter gained access to the building despite the long-standing security issues. This tragic event has intensified concerns about inadequate court security.
Just a week later, 35-year-old Shireen Matthews, from Strandfontein, appeared in the same court. She faces charges of orchestrating the gang-related killing.
While the police investigate the shooting, many are questioning how such a security breach could occur in a public building meant to uphold justice.
Attorney criticizes lack of security measures at courts
Attorney Ben Mathewson, an advocate for safer court environments, has long criticized the failure to implement electronic screening.
He believes this failure directly contributed to security lapses at Wynberg Court. In 2020, a High Court order mandated the use of handheld scanners or other electronic devices for body searches.
Mathewson pointed out, “Wynberg refused to comply, and now we’re seeing the consequences.”
The High Court ruling had required all public access points to follow the Control of Access to Public Premises and Vehicles Act (1985).
It specifically prohibited manual body searches unless conducted respectfully using scanners. Mathewson argues that adhering to this measure would have lessened the chances of the recent shooting.
Advocates push for change in court security practices
Mathewson’s legal battle began in 2020 when he filed a lawsuit targeting courts across the Western Cape.
He argued that courts like Wynberg put both the public and staff at risk by not implementing electronic scanning.
Mathewson highlighted that other courts, like Cape Town Magistrates’ Court, successfully adopted electronic screening, leading to fewer security incidents.
Mathewson also emphasized the importance of balancing security with dignity for those attending court.
He explained that while attending court is mandatory, no one should have to sacrifice their dignity.
“If a scanner isn’t working, replace it,” he said. “And if there’s suspicion of weapons or drugs, call the police. It’s their job, not the security guards’.”
