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DOJ describes the shooting of a witness at the Lenasia Magistrate’s court as concerning.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has expressed concern following the killing of a witness at the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
A witness scheduled to testify in a 2021 murder case was shot and killed in the court precinct, prompting a police manhunt for the suspect. The incident has reignited alarm over witness safety in South Africa.
A similar attack occurred in November 2023, when a key witness in a police torture trial was killed outside the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
Department spokesperson Terrence Manase condemned the killings and emphasized the need for improved safety measures.
“This is concerning, and as the department—and maybe as government in general—we condemn these acts. The taking of lives cannot be condoned in any way, so the safety of court users is of importance to us, and we are really concerned about the incidents,” says Manase.
He adds, “We are aware of the incident, and it’s not an isolated one. We have experienced a number of them. As you are aware, the Minister is fairly new in the portfolio and as a priority, she wants to ensure a conducive environment for court processes to be held under.”
The latest shooting has heightened scrutiny on the effectiveness of South Africa’s witness protection measures noted Manase.
PODCAST | Alarm raised over witness protection after shooting at Lenasia’s Magistrate’s Court
