Magistrates demand safety reforms in SA

SOUTH Africa's justice system is facing a worsening threat, not just from criminals, but from dangers directed at the very people tasked with upholding the law.

- TRACY-LYNN RUITERS

According to the latest national survey documenting magistrates’ perceptions, nearly a third of judicial officers reported being threatened or harmed in direct connection with their work. The findings paint a stark picture: courtrooms and surrounding facilities have become potential danger zones.

Twenty-three per cent of magistrates said they were threatened or harmed “once or twice” within a 12-month period, while a further 10% reported multiple incidents. The Western Cape emerged as the most dangerous province, with 39% of magistrates reporting threats, highlighting deep regional disparities in safety.

Threats are not limited to criminal trials. Magistrates presiding over civil disputes — often assumed to be low-risk — reported higher levels of intimidation, showing how embedded the problem has become across the legal landscape.