Justice and Constitutional Development Deputy Minister Andries Nel has warned that criminals are increasingly targeting courts as predictable locations to carry out revenge attacks or eliminate rivals.
His comments follow a deadly shooting outside the Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday, where two people were killed and three others injured. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
Nel said criminals are exploiting the fact that court appearances make individuals’ movements and schedules easy to anticipate.
“They know that the target will be at our courts on a certain day and at a certain time, and they can plan around that. So we need to secure our courts not only inside, but also the precincts and the areas outside,” Nel said.
He confirmed that security measures will be significantly strengthened at courts across the country, with his department working closely with law enforcement agencies to tighten safety protocols.
“The key point here is that we have a collective duty as government and as society to ensure that our courts of law are places of safety, where both those who work there and members of the public can come with confidence to see justice being served,” he said.
Nel added that recent attacks have largely occurred outside court buildings, in parking areas and on nearby streets. As a result, authorities are engaging with police to increase visible policing, while also exploring the deployment of crime wardens and expanded CCTV coverage around court precincts.
The department says further measures will be announced as consultations with security stakeholders continue.