CAPE TOWN – The WC Judge President, Nolwazi Mabindla-Boqwana, has issued a stern warning following a disturbing wave of violence targeting court precincts in Cape Town. Describing the recent shootings as a “scourge,” Mabindla-Boqwana said these brazen attacks are instilling fear in court staff, legal practitioners, and members of the public who rely on the judicial system for protection and justice.
In response to the escalating violence, the WC Judge President met with Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel and other senior justice department officials to address immediate concerns and develop urgent safety interventions. The meeting aimed to develop strategies for improving security at courts across the province and restoring public confidence in the justice system.
The urgency of the situation follows several violent incidents in Cape Town courts that have shocked the legal community and the wider public. Just last Friday, a man was shot dead inside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court while walking through the premises in broad daylight.
This tragedy occurred just two weeks after another fatal shooting outside the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court, where one man was killed and another seriously injured in a drive-by shooting near the entrance.
In a separate incident in April, the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court witnessed a brutal murder inside its corridors, further amplifying concerns about safety in and around court buildings.
The pattern of violence paints a grim picture and raises questions about how criminals are able to carry out such acts in or near spaces that are meant to embody law, order, and safety.
WC Judge President Condemns Violence and Calls for Urgent Security Overhaul
WC Judge President Nolwazi Mabindla-Boqwana did not mince words when addressing the media after the recent meeting with government officials. “It’s now becoming a scourge because it is too frequent,” she said. “Our people should not be scared to come to court; our people should not be scared to come to work. They should feel safe around the courts. The courts must be the safest place where people can turn to.”
Mabindla-Boqwana emphasized that these attacks have traumatized court personnel, legal professionals, and the broader community, leading to a decline in public trust in the judicial system.
“The justice system depends on people’s willingness to come forward, to testify, to seek justice,” she added. “When violence infiltrates our court spaces, it erodes the very foundation of our democracy.”
During the high-level meeting, officials discussed both short-term and long-term strategies to prevent further incidents. One of the key interventions will include increased visible policing and security presence within court precincts.
“We are going to see if we can beef up visible security so that everyone can see that there is something happening from the time the incident occurred,” said the WC Judge President. “They must not feel scared to come to court.”
Proposed measures include:
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Deployment of additional SAPS officers to court precincts.
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Installation of advanced surveillance systems in vulnerable areas.
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Tighter access control measures, including ID verification and metal detectors.
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Increased cooperation between court security and local law enforcement agencies.
Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel echoed the WC Judge President’s concerns and expressed the department’s commitment to restoring safety and order in the province’s courts. He noted that these attacks are not only criminal in nature but are an assault on the rule of law and the administration of justice.
“We cannot tolerate a situation where the very institutions that uphold justice become the targets of violence,” Nel stated. “We will act decisively to protect our people, our courts, and our democracy.”
The Justice Department also confirmed that ongoing risk assessments will be conducted at all major courts in the Western Cape to determine vulnerabilities and improve infrastructure.
Legal professionals across Cape Town have reacted with alarm to the recent wave of violence. Several attorneys have reported increased fear among clients and witnesses, especially those involved in gang-related cases or organized crime trials.
Some have even suggested that remote hearings or online court appearances be expanded where possible to reduce physical attendance in high-risk environments.
However, the WC Judge President insists that in-person proceedings are often essential, especially in criminal trials. “Justice must be seen to be done,” she stated. “But we cannot deliver justice if people are too afraid to walk into our courts.”
The string of attacks around Cape Town court buildings has sparked outrage and fear, but also a renewed sense of urgency among South Africa’s justice leaders. WC Judge President Nolwazi Mabindla-Boqwana, backed by the Deputy Minister of Justice and key officials, is now spearheading a security revamp that aims to reclaim the sanctity of court spaces.
With concrete steps now being implemented and heightened security measures on the horizon, it is clear that the judiciary is pushing back—determined to ensure that justice is not only served but protected at all costs.
Source- EWN
