Johannesburg – 15 January 2026 Chaos erupted at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court when gunfire broke out inside the courtroom, leaving two witnesses dead and an attorney critically injured.
A man reportedly entered the courtroom and opened fire during proceedings.
Two witnesses were fatally shot at close range.
An attorney sustained severe injuries and remains in critical condition under hospital care.
Police arrested the suspect on the scene and have launched a full investigation into the motive behind the attack
Court operations were suspended following the shooting.
The Department of Justice condemned the violence, pledging to review security protocols at South African courts.
Witness protection and courtroom safety have become urgent topics of national debate.
Legal professionals and civil society groups expressed shock at the breach of safety in a judicial setting.
Calls are mounting for stricter security measures, including metal detectors, armed guards, and surveillance systems.
Booysens Magistrate’s Court, situated in Johannesburg, handles a range of criminal and civil cases. This incident marks one of the most serious breaches of courtroom security in recent South African history
