Justice Department fails to hold officials accountable after Wynberg court shooting

IOL News

18-07-2025

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says consequence management will be undertaken upon conclusion of an investigation by the South African Police Service to establish how the security breach occurred at the Wynberg court building.
Image: File
Three months after the tragic shooting of a murder-accused within the premises of Wynberg Magistrate's Court, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has not held any officials accountable for the failure in security measures that led to this incident.
The shocking event unfolded on April 8, when armed men brazenly entered the court, resulting in Dingalomoyo Chintso's death in a violent act that has raised serious concerns about the security at courts.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed that no disciplinary action has been taken against officials responsible for the administrative collapse at the court building.
'The department is working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to establish how the security breach occurs at the court building, to conclusively ascertain gaps or negligence so that appropriate remedial action can be taken. Upon conclusion of the investigation, consequence management will be undertaken,' Kubayi said.
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She made the comments when she was responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Rebecca Mohlala, when she enquired about immediate disciplinary and/or remedial actions for the administrative collapse that resulted in Chintso being shot and killed inside the court building.
Kubayi said following the unfortunate incident at Wynberg, a security risk profile was concluded and a new security intervention plan was put in place.
'A prioritisation plan was put in place to replace faulty X-ray machine (April 2025), with a functional X-ray to improve the searching procedures at the access control point of the court.
'Security engagement was held with service provider to discuss improvement and tougher and strict measures in averting smuggling of any illegal weapon inside the court precinct.'
She also said the situation was being tightly monitored and other high-risk courts are being attended to.
Last month, Kubayi outlined a wide-range of measures introduced to beef up security at the Wynberg Magistrate's Court.
This came after the department directed the installation of a security scanner, tightening of access control to prosecutors' and magistrates' office, and enhance vetting of court officials after the fatal incident.
The minister previously said a scanner has been loaned from the Director of Public Prosecution's office for use until August while finalising the procurement processes.
'Procurement of a new multi-purpose scanner - detecting metal, copper, drugs, steel, and plastic - is under way for the front entrance. A basic scanner (is going) to be installed at the judiciary's back entrance,' she said at the time.
Asked by Mohlala about the reasons her department failed in some cases to maintain functional X-ray machines, Kubayi said the department has 730 courts nationally.
Some have electronic security infrastructure, which is over 10 to 15 years old and often faulty and non-functional as well as X-ray machines and metal detectors.
She also said the department has appointed a service provider, even before the incident at Wynberg Magistrate's Court, to provide maintenance and repairs of the electronic security infrastructure in courts.
'The biggest challenge is the aging electronic security equipment, which experiences mechanic or maintenance breakdowns. The department is currently engaging in a new procurement plan for the acquisition, repair and maintenance of electronic security infrastructure to improve court security and the basic security systems of the courts.'
She added that security management of the department conducts periodic reviews of the state of security for courts to improve the basic security systems.
'The periodic reviews focus on the effectiveness of the basic security systems such as metal detectors, X-ray machines, access control systems, Close Circuit Television and the generic emergency response plans at the individual courts.'
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