Televised court proceedings unintentionally imperilling prosecutors’ safety: Kubayi

Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi said broadcasts of court proceedings is having the unintended consequence of imperilling the safety of State prosecutors.

She said systems are being put in place to identify high-risk cases that could be putting court staff in danger before prosecutors indicate that they feel threatened.

Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Kubayi said the recent assassinations of prosecutors are a threat to the criminal justice system.

Two Eastern Cape prosecutors, Elona Sombulula and Tracy Brown, were killed just three months apart.

They make up the five prosecutors who have been killed in as many years.

Kubayi said initially, it was not thought that their killings were related to their work. It’s since emerged that Brown’s hit was arranged from prison.

Kubayi said the broadcast of court proceedings is increasing the risk to prosecutors.

“One of the unintended results is that prosecutors’ faces and identities are shown, while the faces of accused persons are hidden or protected from public view.”

Kubayi said mechanisms to identify high-risk cases are being improved upon.

“In many cases, it has been picked up early and prosecutors have been protected and provided with close protection and also surveillance and assessment of the cases they are dealing with.”

Kubayi said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is also exploring partnerships with international experts to improve security for its prosecutors.

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