Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court evacuated after bomb threat [VIDEO]

Police have confirmed that the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court was evacuated following a bomb threat.

Officials evacuated people out of the building while traffic police redirected vehicles away from the courthouse on Tuesday.

Watch the Pietermartizburg Magistrates Court being evacuated

Bomb scare

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda told The Citizen they are investigating the incident.

“Relevant police disciplines, including the Explosives Unit officers, were dispatched from the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court following a bomb threat.

“All inmates were secured and the building was evacuated as a precautionary measure. No injuries were reported. The court building has now been declared safe,” Netshiunda said.

ALSO READ: Durban Magistrate’s Court evacuated after ‘bomb threat’

Service delivery

The bomb threat comes after dozens of cases were postponed last week at the same court after a power outage plunged the central business district into darkness, disrupting proceedings and leaving those in custody waiting for their hearings.

Although the City moved swiftly to restore power, the court building faced additional issues with its own electrical system and an interruption to its water supply.

The building, managed by the Department of Public Works, has been plagued by ongoing maintenance problems. Zamokwakhe Ndlovu, from the court manager’s office, urged calm as the building was evacuated, leading to a large crowd gathering at the entrance.

Durban bomb threat

In July, the Durban Magistrate’s Court was evacuated following an alleged bomb threat.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the court following the bomb threat on Tuesday.

Netshiunda at the time said an unknown person called the court and announced that there was a bomb.

No bomb was found and the building was later declared safe.

ALSO READ: Suspects linked to KZN mass shooting arrested at ‘cooling off spot’