An accused person in custody was shot and killed on Monday morning, May 12, at the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, after allegedly seizing a court orderly’s firearm.
The fatal shooting was carried out by a second court orderly who responded immediately to the unfolding incident.
Terrence Manase, spokesperson for the country’s Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development, said preliminary reports indicate that the accused gained access to a court orderly’s weapon during proceedings.
“In a swift and decisive response, a second court orderly acted with commendable presence of mind and discharged his service weapon, fatally wounding the accused before any further harm could occur,” Manase stated.
He confirmed that the individual was declared dead at the scene, while full details, including the identity of the deceased and the precise sequence of events, remain under investigation. Manase praised the professionalism of court officials in managing what he described as a high-pressure situation.
“Their actions undoubtedly prevented a potentially greater tragedy,” he said.
The Ministry of Justice has launched an internal review of security protocols within court premises, while police have begun a parallel investigation. “A full report is expected in due course,” Manase said, adding that Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has called for an urgent briefing on the matter and emphasised the need for immediate strengthening of security measures across all court facilities.
“The department is working closely with law enforcement to ensure enhanced safety measures are urgently implemented to safeguard all court users,” Manase added.
Despite the incident, operations at the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court were not disrupted, and the regional court continued serving the public as scheduled. This latest incident follows a similar shooting in April at the Wynberg Regional Court in the Western Cape, where a man was killed shortly after consulting with an instructing attorney.
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