Speeches

Address by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, The Hon Andries Nel, MP, to court officials and staff at a Joint Visit with the Judge President of the Western Cape Division of the High Court of South Africa to the Athlone Magistrates Court, Monday, 8 September 2025

Judge President Mabindla-Boqwana, Judges Erasmus and Le Grange, the Acting Chief Magistrate for Wynberg and Cluster Head, Ms Xhallie, senior officials from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, representatives from the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority, organised labour, community stakeholders, and most importantly, the dedicated staff of the Athlone Magistrates Court – good morning.

We meet here today under heavy clouds of grief and anxiety.

Only a few days ago, this court – a place that should symbolise safety, order, and the impartial rule of law – became the scene of a cold-blooded killing.

An accused person, Mr Taymin Koff, out on bail in a domestic violence matter, was shot and killed at the very gate of this court, in broad daylight, as staff and members of the public looked on in horror.

We gather here today in the wake of this deeply painful event.
First and foremost, let me convey, on behalf of the Minister and the entire Justice Family, our condolences to the family of the deceased.
Let me also convey our deep sympathy to each staff member, magistrate, prosecutor, legal practitioner and member of the public who witnessed this traumatic incident.
We stand with you in sorrow – and also in solidarity.

Acknowledging the Pain and the Reality

This tragedy is not an isolated event.
It is part of a pattern of escalating gang-related violence. It echoes similar incidents in Wynberg and Mitchells Plain, and it reflects the broader challenge of gang-related violence in the Western Cape.

We know that:

• In April this year, an accused was shot and killed inside Wynberg Magistrates Court after firearms were smuggled in by accomplices.
• At Mitchells Plain, an accused was executed just outside the court gate after appearing before a magistrate.
• Athlone itself has long been marked as a high-risk court, with incidents of drug smuggling, gang-linked intimidation, and shootings in the vicinity.

These are not mere statistics.
These are daily realities that weigh heavily on you, the staff of this court and on the communities you serve.
Each incident undermines confidence in our justice system. Each shooting or assassination feeds the perception that criminal gangs are stronger than the state.
While these events weigh heavily on our hearts, they also strengthen our resolve.
Each act of violence is a reminder of the urgent work we do – and must continue to do.
It is testament to the courage of those who continue to serve - who walk through these gates each day with dignity, with determination and hope.
You are the ones who ensure that the justice system works.
I want to assure you - you are not alone. And you are not powerless.

The Broader Challenge

The Western Cape has seen over 2,000 people shot since January this year alone.
Many of these incidents are linked to gang rivalries, and increasingly, our courts have become a stage on which these conflicts are played out.
We must confront a hard truth: courts are not islands.

They are embedded in communities that are themselves under siege from violence, poverty, and organised crime.
We know that our courts are not separate from the communities they serve. They are part of the social fabric - woven into neighbourhoods that face daily struggles with poverty, crime, and fear.

And when gangsters seek to settle scores, they are no longer waiting until after proceedings – they strike at the gates, in the parking lots, and in the streets around our courts.
But we also know that our communities are resilient. They are filled with people who believe in justice, who support one another, and who refuse to be defined by violence.
That is why our response must be more than reactive. It must be transformative.

We are committed to a whole-of-state and whole-of-society approach - one that brings together government, law enforcement, civil society, and community voices to reclaim our courts as places of safety and trust.

This means that the safety of courts cannot be reduced to security guards, metal detectors, or CCTV alone.
It requires a much wider approach.

Commitment to Action

The Judge President and I are here today to say clearly: this state of affairs cannot continue.

In line with the recommendations in the internal report and in consultation with SAPS, the Department of Justice, and our security stakeholders, we are committed to implementing the following measures:

1. Strengthened Security Presence
• Additional security officers will be deployed to cover all floors of this court, supported by upgraded CCTV and walk-through detectors.
• Random searches will be intensified, including searches of persons working in the courts and service providers, to close off avenues for smuggling.

2. Enhanced Policing Partnership
• SAPS will conduct regular patrols around the court building, supported by canine units for random sniffer-dog searches.
• High-risk accused persons out on bail will be transported to court in SAPS vehicles and kept under guard until their hearings.

3. Virtual and Specialised Court Processes
• We will expand the use of virtual court appearances for high-risk cases to reduce the exposure of gang-linked accused and witnesses at court gates.
• Planning meetings for high-profile and high-risk cases will be reintroduced, bringing SAPS, the NPA, Correctional Services, and Justice officials into joint operational planning.

4. Infrastructure and Equipment Upgrades
• Procurement of drug scanners and specialised equipment for holding cells will be prioritised.
• Offloading zones for inmates will be closely monitored to prevent smuggling of weapons and drugs.

5. Building a Culture of Integrity and Discipline
• We will strengthen the vetting and rotation of staff in sensitive security positions.
• Allegations of collusion with gangs, whether by SAPS members or court staff, will be dealt with firmly, with zero tolerance.

Message to Staff

Colleagues, I want to pause here to speak directly to you, the staff of the Athlone Magistrates Court.
I know that these events leave you shaken.
I know that some of you may fear for your safety every time you walk through these gates.
But I also know this: every day you continue to serve, you uphold the dignity of justice in the face of intimidation.

That is an act of bravery and public service that does not go unnoticed.
To the staff of Athlone Magistrates Court: your courage inspires us. You are the heartbeat of this institution.
Every day you show up, you send a powerful message - that justice will not be silenced, and that fear will not win.
We are here to support you - not only with security upgrades, but with trauma counselling, wellness programmes and a renewed commitment to your safety and wellbeing.
You are valued. You are seen. And you are essential to the future we are building.

I want to assure you: your safety matters.
The safety of witnesses matters. Witnesses who bravely testify against criminals and violent offenders often put their own lives at risk to serve justice.
The safety of accused persons, too, matters – because justice cannot be done if people are executed on their way to court.
We will support you not only with security upgrades, but also with trauma counselling and wellness support where needed.
I want to repeat - you are not alone.

Restoring Public Trust

Today’s joint visit is about more than security. It is about restoring trust.
Courts must be seen once again as places of order, where justice can be sought without fear.
It is about restoring faith in our justice system.

It is about showing our communities that the rule of law is not just a principle - it is a promise.
We stand united – the judiciary and the executive, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the SAPS and court officials, community leaders and civil servants.
Together, we will protect our courts, defend our democracy, and ensure access to justice for our people.

This requires us to demonstrate that:

• The judiciary and the executive are working side by side.
• SAPS and justice officials are coordinating seamlessly.
• Every measure is being taken to protect communities from gang infiltration of our justice system.

The Judge President and I stand here – together - to show that exact unity of purpose.
Under the leadership of President Ramaphosa and Minister Kubayi, we recommit ourselves from the side of the executive to working with the judiciary under the leadership of Chief Justice Maya to realise the vision of a fully independent judiciary in line with the Constitution.

We are committed to moving towards a single judiciary with full institutional independence and towards a judicial-led court administration model.

Conclusion

Let me conclude with this pledge:

• To the judiciary, prosecutors, legal practitioners and staff of this court: we will act to protect you and to ensure you can do your jobs with dignity and safety.
• To the public, the communities of Athlone and the broader Cape Flats: we will not allow gang violence to dictate the pace or place of justice.
• To the criminal elements who seek to undermine the rule of law: you will not succeed. The state is stronger, the justice system is resilient and our commitment and resolve is unshakeable.

The Athlone Magistrates Court will not be remembered for fear.
It will not be remembered for tragedy.
It will be remembered as a place where justice triumphed over intimidation.
It will be remembered for standing firm, for rising above fear, and for delivering justice with courage and compassion.

I thank you.