Question NW221 to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development

Reply:

• The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has deployed physical security guards in all the courts to manage access control for all the courts to ensure the safety and security of members of the public, courts officials, prosecutors and members of the judiciary.
• There is also security infrastructure in courts in the form of x-ray, cameras and metal detectors to screen for any unwanted objects and/or dangerous objects which can be brought within a court building.
• Members of the judiciary are offered parking closer to their offices to reduce public exposure, which can have risk to their safety and security.

• When members of the judiciary receive threats to life; out of their constitutional roles and responsibilities; the Department conducts threat and risk assessments with the assistance of SAPS Crime Intelligence and provide such a member with close protection.
• Court room security is enhanced by the members of the South African Police Services in the form of a Court Orderlies within a court room.
• The new designs for court rooms, the Department has accommodated a concept Crime Prevention Through Design by making clear demarcation and sufficient distance between the suspect dock, the court officials (prosecutors, court clerk, stenographer, interpreter) space and the presiding officers.
• The Department is committed to continually increase the security in the different courts, court rooms across the country to ensure that the administration of justice is delivered without fear, favour or prejudice.