Wynberg Court: Metal Detector Not Functioning, Unreported Before Fatal Shooting

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has confirmed that the metal detector at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court was not working and alarmingly, the fault had never been reported.

The non functional metal detector, a critical security lapse enabled a firearm to be smuggled into the court building, resulting in the fatal shooting of 49-year-old Dingalomoyo Chintso inside a courtroom on Tuesday.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Dad’s R600K Bakkie Sold For Just R30K After 5-Year-Old Ditebogo’s Killing, Court Hears

Unreported Security Failure Exposes Serious Oversight

According to the Department, the metal detector at the entrance to the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court was not operational on the day of the shooting and had not been flagged by staff or reported through official channels.

The failure allowed a weapon to bypass security measures, leading to the deadly incident.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Deli Malinga’s 3 Key Milestone Umkhokha Success And Struggle

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi,said the malfunctioning metal detector was a preliminary factor in the investigation.

“We are told the metal detector did not work, but no report was registered. While we can take disciplinary action, we need to fix the system to prevent this from happening again,” she stated.

Call For Off-Site Testimony In High-Risk Cases

The Wynberg court has gained notoriety due to the high number of gang-related cases it handles, raising concerns about the safety of witnesses, magistrates, and the public.

In response, the Justice Ministry is now considering off-site testimony options to better protect those involved in high-risk trials.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Zenande Mfenyana Secures The Bag Again With Lead Role In Mzansi Magic’s New Drama ‘Inimba

“It’s not normal to see this level of violence inside a courtroom,” Kubayi said. “We are looking at ways to allow witnesses to testify remotely to reduce the risk of targeted attacks.”

Legal Experts Urge Court Security Overhaul Nationwide

Alison Tilley from Judges Matter, a legal NGO, emphasized that this tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about court safety, citing previous research by UCT’s Democratic Governance and Rights Unit.

“This is a devastating failure. Judicial officers, court staff, and the public should feel safe inside these buildings. Broken security infrastructure like this should never go unreported,” she said.

Tilley called for an urgent nationwide audit of court security systems, including functional checks of metal detectors and improved incident reporting protocols.

---

For SA Crime News Follow SurgeZirc SA on Facebook,  X and Instagram