South Africa
Judges, courts warned to be on high alert─── 15:38 Mon, 12 Jul 2021
Some of the country’s top legal minds have been warned to stay on high alert following threats from members of the public.
A voice note has been making the rounds on social media calling on civilians to take matters into their own hands, asking them to kill and burn down judges’ homes.
The man in the audio also calls for protesters to bring down the court houses.
Parts of the country have been faced with escalating violence following former president Jacob Zuma’s 15-month arrest.
On Monday, the Office of the Chief Justice admitted they were aware of the death threats against some judges.
“The voice note has been brought to the attention of the South African Police Service and will be made available to the Heads of Courts via WhatsApp. The OCJ has been in contact with the SAPS in so far as the security of judges and courts is concerned.
“In addition, the OCJ has been in liaison with the private security firms rendering security services at the Constitutional Court as well as the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the apex court was hearing Zuma’s application to rescind their scathing judgment against him.
Jacaranda News
