Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court fully operation after being torched by angry mob

CAPE TOWN - The Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court is fully operational again after it was torched by angry residents. 

An angry mob attacked the courthouse three weeks ago after the death in custody of an alleged gang member.

The Community Policing Forum said that the unrest erupted after an alleged gang member died while being questioned by the police's Anti-Gang Unit. 

Police have denied claims that officers were responsible and said the suspect had complained of chest pains and collapsed. 

He was taken into custody after officers acted on information that he had an unlicensed firearm in his house. 

CPF chairperson, Graham Lindhorst: "We also hope for that the law will take its course that whoever is responsible for setting that place alight must face the full might of the law." 

Police said that the matter is in the hands of its watchdog body, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).