Western Cape courts to receive major upgrades

By Mikhaila Crowie
7 March 2009

3 courts in the Western Cape are expected to get an upgrade, which will cost the Department of Justice & Constitutional Development R79 million.

Athlone Magistrate’s Court will receive an injection of R13 million . The court has seen many break-ins and escapes.

Improvements will include state-of-the-art security measures. This entails a control room that can monitor all areas of the court premises, including the cells. A larger, more controlled main entrance will prevent unauthorized items from entering the courts.

Apart from Athlone Magistrate’s Court, the Cape High Court will receive upgrades worth R36 million while Hermanus Magistrate’s Office wil receive a R30 million upgrade.