Media Statements

Statement of the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services on the Durban Magistrate Court Shooting Incident

26 November 2018

The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Adv Michael Masutha, has learnt with great shock, the shooting that took place at the Durban Magistrate Court today.

Minister Masutha condemns the incident which resulted in two deaths and two injuries in the strongest possible terms.

“I have instructed the Department of Justice to institute an official investigation on the incident,” said Minister Masutha.

He added: “Information currently at our disposal suggests that this incident is complicated by the fact that the alleged suspect is a member of the South African Police Service whom the court security officials neither knew was an affected party in a case that was being heard nor had any reasonable grounds to suspect that he would be a perpetrator.”

Minister Masutha conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

The Minister will confer with the Minister of Police to ensure a collective effort in improving security at courts and to take steps to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in future. "I wish to assure members of the public and court officials that no effort will be spared in ensuring that courts are safe spaces for all who use them", said Masutha.

For more information, please contact Mukoni Ratshitanga on: +27 66 479 6012, Email: MRatshitanga@justice.gov.za

Issued by the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Service