The Justice and Constitutional Development Department says it has come up with an integrated plan to ensure the protection of legal practitioners working on high-profile cases.
There has been an increase in the killing of lawyers, auditors and investigators working on high-profile cases aimed at exposing corruption.
In the most recent incident, insolvency lawyer, Bouwer van Niekerk was killed at his office in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, on Friday.
The Department’s Spokesperson Terrence Manase says the recent killings have prompted Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to fast-track implementation of the plan.
Terrence says, “ It’s an integrated security plan not only for the legal practitioners but also for the courts. Currently, what this plan is looking at is the introduction of ICT in court matters, maybe the possibility of conducting proceedings remotely in high-risk incidents, introduction of high-tech CCTV cameras in our premises and that plan is at an advanced stage.”
“We’re working with various stakeholders in the justice sector to make sure that practitioners, court users, and officials are secure in executing their duties,” He adds.
PODCAST | Interview with Manase on SAFM’s First Take Programme:
