Judges Matter calls for intensified SAPS patrols after double murder outside Athlone court

The latest suspected gang shooting outside the Athlone Magistrates Court has again put a spotlight on safety around court precincts in the country.

Two men were shot dead minutes apart on Wednesday while walking out of the court building. This is the second such incident outside the same courthouse in three months.

It is also the fourth time someone attending court has been shot and killed in and around a Magistrates' Court in Cape Town this year.

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One of the victims of the Athlone shootings was shot outside the police station, which is right next to the court.

Judicial monitoring organisation Judges Matter has renewed calls for security to be beefed up outside court precincts in the country.

"Although we acknowledge that this incident happened outside of the court precinct so the Department of Justice would not be the department responsible for ensuring the safety. But it does require that the South African Police Service in the Western Cape intensify their patrols and other security measures around court buildings." Said Judges Matter senior researcher Mbekezeli Benjamin.

The gunmen responsible for the attack are still at large.