Calls are mounting for more police visibility outside courts following recent spate of deadly shootings in the Western Cape

Calls are mounting for more police visibility outside court buildings across the country following a recent spate of deadly shootings in the Western Cape. Police are investigating a double murder that took place outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

‘’Athlone police registered two separate cases of murder following two shooting incidents today (Wednesday, 2025-12-03). At 13:45 a 32 year old male was shot and fatally wounded whilst sitting in a car about 50m from the court. And at about 13:50 another male aged 31 was shot and killed about 300m away from court in Kewtown area.  The suspect/s fled the scene in an unknown direction. The motive for these attack forms part of the police investigation,’’ said Captain F.C Van Wyk, Western cape police spokesperson.

PICTURE: Pixabay

A man was shot dead, and another was injured outside the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court in August. Meanwhile, five suspects will soon go on trial for their involvement in the murder of a taxi boss inside the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in April.

A senior researcher at Judges Matter, Mbekezeli Benjamin, says security needs to be beefed up in and around courts.

The Western Cape’s Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais, conducted an oversight visit to the Athlone Magistrate’s Court and the Athlone Police Station following the shooting incidents. The MEC also met with Colonel Alcock and his management team at Athlone SAPS, who provided a detailed briefing on the police’s response.

“I was informed that additional security measures have been implemented at Athlone Magistrates Court following recent discussions between the Western Cape Government, the Western Cape Judge President, and Western Cape SAPS management. Colonel Alcock also indicated that an operational plan is in place after Wednesday`s shooting. The current status quo where attacks occur in and around our courts is completely unacceptable. It demands stronger coordination between SAPS, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, The National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Correctional Services to ensure the safety of all who work in, attend, or live near our courts.”

‘’While these steps represent positive progress, Minister Marais emphasised that further improvements are still required to ensure full safety around the court precinct. The Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety will continue to engage the relevant government departments to address outstanding shortcomings and strengthen long-term security interventions in and around our courts. The Minister urges SAPS to implement these measures across other high-risk areas. The Minister will be following up with further oversight visits in due course to assess SAPS' operations,’’ said Kurt Nefdt, Acting MLO to Minister Anroux Marais.

 

Done by: Elona Sibunzi