Witness safety in South Africa: 'Competency of law enforcement not sufficient’ - Institute for Security Studies

702's Bongani Bingwa interviews Willem Els, a crime expert at the Institute for Security Studies.

Listen below: 

Last week, 50-year-old taxi owner Dingalomoya Cintso was shot and killed inside the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.

Despite the building being filled with police officers and security personnel, the shooter managed to escape without being apprehended.

RELATED: Wynberg court shooting: Woman due in court on murder charge

At the time of the incident – and even days afterwards – the court’s metal detectors were reportedly not functioning.

"It doesn't make a lot of sense... the levels of competency within our law enforcement is not what it's supposed to be. The urgency of our officers is not what it's supposed to be."

- Willem Els, Institute for Security Studies

Initially, Cintso was identified as a state witness, but it was later confirmed that he was also an accused in a murder case. 

Unfortunately, his killing is not an isolated incident.

According to Els, the problem does not lie with a lack of legislation – South Africa has no fewer than three constitutional acts that specifically address witness protection.

Therefore, he says we must ourselves: “Where are we failing them?” 

Els adds that the possibility of corruption cannot be ruled out.

"This demonstrates to you the challenges we have with our violent society in South Africa."

- Willem Els, Institute for Security Studies

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.