The shooting at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg yesterday has been linked to a murder case stemming from a fatal stabbing at a Mondeor pool hall last year.

Southern Courier reports that Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel confirmed that the accused, who is out on bail, was attending a pretrial conference related to a murder case.

Case background

The matter involves an 18-year-old accused who allegedly stabbed and killed another 18-year-old at the Ballbreakers pool hall in Mondeor on April 5.

Attack outside court building

Nel said the attack happened outside the court building as the accused, accompanied by family members and a legal representative, exited towards the parking area.

Armed assailants gained access through a pedestrian entrance and opened fire, killing two people and injuring three others before fleeing the scene.

Security measures under review

According to Nel, the court has permanent security personnel, operational CCTV systems, metal detectors and X-ray machines in place, and crime wardens deployed within the precinct. He said security inside the court remains adequate.

However, the incident has prompted an urgent review of security in areas surrounding the court, including parking areas and external access points, with discussions underway between justice and police authorities to strengthen visible policing at courts.

Concerns over court-related attacks

Nel warned that courts are increasingly being used by criminals as predictable locations where specific individuals are known to be present at certain times.

He said similar incidents elsewhere in the country have shown that attacks near courts undermine public confidence in the justice system and pose serious risks to magistrates, prosecutors, court staff and members of the public.

Support for affected staff

Nel said employee wellness services have been deployed to provide counselling to court staff who witnessed the incident. Support is also being extended to prosecutors and other officials, including those involved in related cases and those not directly affected.

He added that the Booysens Magistrate’s Court will resume operations as normal today.

On behalf of the Department of Justice, Nel conveyed condolences to the families of the two people who were killed in the shooting and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

He also praised court officials who continued with their duties despite the traumatic events.

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