Suspect In Court For Robbery Attacks Court Official With Broken Bottle
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane, has strongly condemned the brutal attack on a prosecutor and a stenographer at Mamelodi Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, according to a statement from the Justice Ministry.
This incident has sparked concerns about the safety and security of judicial staff within court premises.
Preliminary reports indicate that a suspect, who was convicted of common robbery and damage to property by the court’s magistrate, broke a bottle and attempted to stab both the prosecutor and the stenographer immediately after his conviction.
The incident underscores the need for heightened security measures within the judicial system.
Justice spokesperson Tsekiso Machike noted that police are currently investigating the matter. “As the police are currently investigating the matter, the department is unable to disclose further details at this time.
“However, senior management from the department has visited the Mamelodi court, and all staff affected by the incident will receive trauma counselling support,” Machike said. The response to this tragic incident has been swift and robust.
Simelane has denounced this act of violence in the strongest terms, stating, “We will not tolerate such acts of violence in our courts.
“The suspect will be prosecuted for committing this crime. It is essential that our courts remain free to fulfil their constitutionally mandated role in administering justice without fear of harm. Any assault on court officials undermines the authority of the state and will not be tolerated.”
In response to the attack, Simelane has ordered the department to urgently conduct a comprehensive security and risk assessment. Identifying any potential lapses and implementing immediate measures to address any gaps is a priority. This initiative aims to prevent such incidents from recurring and to safeguard the judiciary staff.
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