Lawyers association, the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA), is urging the relevant authorities to assess and reinforce security infrastructure in court buildings and surrounding precincts, including parking areas and access points.

The Law Society expressed shock and concern following the shooting incident at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday, which resulted in the loss of two lives and at least three injuries, including that of a legal practitioner.

A group of people who had been attending court proceedings, were leaving the premises, when armed assailants allegedly opened fire before fleeing the scene.

The association wants an increase in visible policing, improved access control measures, and enhanced coordination between court security and the South African Police Service (Saps), said LSSA president Nkosana Mvundlela.

“This violent attack within the vicinity of a court precinct is a direct affront to the rule of law and the administration of justice. Courts must remain safe spaces where legal practitioners, litigants, court officials, and members of the public can conduct and access justice without fear or intimidation,” he stated.

The LSSA noted the law enforcement investigation into the incident and assurances from senior officials from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development that security measures around court precincts would be reviewed and strengthened.

Mvundlela stressed that the safety of legal practitioners and court users was not negotiable.

“The justice system cannot function effectively in an environment where violence threatens those tasked with upholding the law. We urge government to prioritise the protection of judicial institutions and all who serve within them,” he said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi to account to Parliament on what concrete measures her department is implementing to ensure the safety of court users, officials, and the public.

DA spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach said South Africans cannot be expected to access justice when the immediate vicinity of court buildings is unsafe.