Concerns raised over safety after shooting at Wynberg Magistrates Court
A suspect managed to walk into the court building with a gun and shot a witness.
Outside the Wynberg Magistrates Court in Cape Town. Picture: Mary-Anne Gontsana/GroundUp
CAPE TOWN - Tuesday's shooting at the Wynberg Magistrates Court has brought the need for better security into sharp focus.
A suspect managed to walk into the court building with a gun and shot a witness.
The deceased man was testifying in a matter believed to be gang-related but was murdered before he could testify.
In what's believed to be a hit, a man said to be a State witness was shot in the corridors of the Wynberg Magistrates Court building.
The shooting occurred on the fourth floor after the suspect managed to get past security with a gun.
The Law Society's William Booth said that the incident highlighted the need for better security at courts.
"Not only is the witness shot but members of the public are at serious risk, it could have ricocheted. This took place, I think, very close to the door to the magistrates' chambers and lawyers, prosecutors, court staff, you know, everybody is at serious risk in respect to an incident like this."
In May 2023, a woman was shot and killed as she was leaving the same court.
Booth added that it was concerning that crimes like these were happening in the country.