The Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi says security at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court will be reviewed and tightened, as it has become notorious for gang-related shootings occurring outside or near the court.
This follows Tuesday’s brazen shooting inside the courthouse, which saw a taxi driver from Vrygrond being gunned down.
Dingalamaya Chintso was shot four times in the head at point blank range while waiting outside courtroom D on the fourth floor.
It has since been confirmed that he was accused in a murder case that could be linked to an ongoing gang-related turf war. Earlier, it was reported that he was a state witness.
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Questions have been asked about how the gunman entered the court without his weapon being detected. It’s believed the metal detectors at the entrance were not operational at the time.
Veteran criminal attorney William Booth says non-functioning metal detectors or scanning devices are nothing new at many courts, and in such cases, security personnel at the entrance need to do a thorough physical search of everyone entering, as no weapons are allowed.
“If you have a system where someone arrives at court, and is a lawful permit holder of a firearm, there should be a system that he hands in his firearm at security where it can be logged and secured in a safe, and later when he leaves court he then retrieves his firearm.”
As chaos ensued inside the court in the minutes after the shooting, it is also shocking that the gunman managed to flee, reportedly the same way he entered.
Minister Kubayi says all these alleged lapses in security will be fully investigated, and she will also meet with the heads of the country’s courts later this month to discuss security at all courts. This may involve identifying high-risk cases that would require individual security approaches.
“We fear for anyone who is in that courtroom, when the trigger is pulled, because the bullet can hit anyone. So I am paying attention to particularly that court, and perhaps areas where we have high numbers of criminal cases.”
Meanwhile, the Public Servants Association says two court staff members who were near the scene were fortunately not harmed, but the trauma and fear that this has sparked are palpable.
The PSA says in a statement that staff members were informed that the metal detector was defective only after the incident.
“This is not an isolated incident, as similar occurrences have been reported at Wynberg and other Courts. The PSA emphasizes that the safety and well-being of Court staff and the public are of critical concern. The PSA maintains that a safe and healthy work environment is a fundamental Constitutional right. It is the responsibility of the Department of Justice to ensure robust and maintained safety measures.”
The Association has called on the Department to address this issue with urgency, ensuring that all necessary precautions are implemented to protect court staff and members of the public.
On Thursday morning, Western Cape Police spokesperson Lt Col Malcolm Pojie said there has been no new developments in the case.
“The investigation team are working around the clock to make a breakthrough. All leads and information are pursued to bring those responsible, to book.”
