KEY POINTS
-
An accused person in custody at the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court was fatally shot after seizing a firearm from a court orderly; another officer intervened and fired the fatal shot.
-
The Ministry of Justice has launched a full investigation and initiated a national review of court security, calling for immediate enhancements to safety protocols.
-
The incident follows a recent pattern of court-related violence in South Africa, sparking public concern over rising security threats within the judicial system.
A dramatic courtroom incident unfolded at the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday morning, resulting in the fatal shooting of an accused who attempted to disarm a police officer.
The accused, who was in custody at the time, reportedly managed to grab a firearm from one of the court orderlies, prompting a swift and deadly response from a second officer.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development, Terrence Manase, provided a statement outlining the preliminary findings. “An accused person in custody allegedly gained access to a court orderly’s firearm,” he said. “In a swift and decisive response, a second court orderly acted with commendable presence of mind and discharged his service weapon, fatally wounding the accused before any further harm could occur.”
According to Sowetanlive, the accused was declared dead at the scene, and investigations are underway to establish the precise sequence of events, as well as the identity of the deceased.
The ministry has commended the officers involved, noting their professionalism during the high-pressure situation. “Their actions undoubtedly prevented a potentially greater tragedy,” Manase stated.
Security review underway
The Ministry of Justice has launched an internal review of court security protocols. Simultaneously, police are conducting a full investigation into the matter. Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has called for an urgent briefing and immediate reinforcement of security measures at court facilities nationwide. “The department is working closely with law enforcement to ensure enhanced safety measures are urgently implemented to safeguard all court users,” Manase added.
Despite the violent disruption, the court’s operations continued without interruption. The regional court resumed its schedule shortly after the incident, underscoring the resilience and commitment of court staff in the face of escalating security threats.
This event adds to a troubling pattern of violence within South African courts. Just last month, a man was fatally shot at the Wynberg Regional Court in the Western Cape shortly after meeting with his lawyer. In another alarming case reported recently, a police officer in Tshwane was lured through a fake livestock sale and robbed of his service pistol — a weapon later linked to a high-profile murder investigation.
Experts have raised growing concerns over firearm access and the vulnerability of court infrastructure. According to security analyst Lesiba Magoro, “Our courtrooms are increasingly becoming targets, and without substantial investment in modern surveillance and preventative measures, these incidents will persist.”
The Ministry has confirmed that a comprehensive report on the Melmoth incident will be released following the completion of official investigations. In the meantime, national authorities are urging citizens to remain calm as safety protocols are urgently reevaluated.
