WC Judge President describes court shootings as a scourge terrorising communities and court staff

CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Judge President Nolwazi Mabindla-Boqwana has described a recent spate of court shootings as a scourge terrorising communities and court staff.

The Judge President and other justice department officials met with Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel to discuss attacks around court precincts in Cape Town.

On Friday, a man was shot dead while walking inside the Athlone Magistrate's Court.

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This follows an attack in front of the Mitchells Plain Magistrate' Court two weeks ago, where one man was shot and killed and another was injured.

The Wynberg Magistrate's Court was also rocked by a murder inside the court's corridors in April.

Nolwazi Mabindla-Boqwana said the attacks have traumatised a lot of people.

"It's now becoming a scourge because it is too frequent. Our people should not be scared to come to court; our people should not be scared to come to work. They should feel safe around the courts; the courts must be the safest place where people can turn to."

She said they're putting measures to ensure everyone's safety.

"We are going to see if we can beef up visible security so that everyone can see that there is something happening from the time the incident occurred. So they must not feel scared to come to court."