Accused Sh0t Dead In Court After Trying To Disarm Court Orderly

On Monday morning, May 12, an accused individual in custody was fatally shot at the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, after reportedly grabbing a court orderly’s firearm. The shooting was executed by another court orderly who quickly intervened to address the developing situation.

Terrence Manase, spokesperson for South Africa’s Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development, stated that initial reports suggest the accused managed to seize a court orderly’s weapon during the court session. “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 explained.

He confirmed the individual was pronounced dead at the scene, with full details, such as the deceased’s identity and the exact sequence of events, still being investigated. Manase commended the professionalism of the court officials in handling what he called a high-pressure scenario. “Their actions undoubtedly prevented a potentially greater tragedy,” he noted.

The Ministry of Justice has initiated an internal review of security procedures at court facilities, while a separate police investigation is underway. “A full report is expected in due course,” Manase said, noting that Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has requested an urgent briefing on the incident and stressed the need for immediate enhancements to security protocols across all court premises.

“The department is working closely with law enforcement to ensure enhanced safety measures are urgently implemented to safeguard all court users,” Manase further stated.

Despite the event, the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court continued its operations without interruption, and the regional court maintained its schedule of serving the public. This incident comes after a comparable shooting in April at the Wynberg Regional Court in the Western Cape, where a man was fatally shot shortly after meeting with an instructing attorney.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli