Minister Ronald Lamola condemns violence at Senekal Magistrate's Court
7 October 2020
The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola, condemns in the strongest possible terms, the anarchic violence by protesters at the Senekal Magistrate's Court in the Free State yesterday.
Preliminary reports indicate that gunshots were fired, a police vehicle was overturned and set alight, the court vandalised and court property damaged, following the appearance of two accused on charges relating to the murder of a farm manager.
The disturbing scenes of members of the public storming a court and damaging property have no place in a free and democratic South Africa.
Beyond the obvious trial of destruction of public property, yesterday’s actions are an inexcusable assault on the rule of law and the criminal justice system.