Community members set courthouse alight after alleged gangster dies during police interview

On Saturday, 21 December, residents of Bishop Lavis, Cape Town, set alight the Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ Court in protest after an alleged gangster died while being interviewed by the police at a house on Hydrangea Street, Kalksteenfontein, next to the court.

Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said Anti-Gang Unit members received information that a firearm was stored at a house on Hydrangea Street.

“At the scene, the adult male was interviewed by the members. While busy conducting the interview with the male, he suddenly complained of chest pains and collapsed. Ambulance services were called to the scene and the male was declared deceased by medical personnel. A postmortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” said Van Wyk.

The sub-council chairperson in the area, Angus McKenzie, said the community barricaded the road with stones and vandalised the court.

“The family, the neighbours and eyewitnesses at the property at the time claimed that the Anti-Gang Unit officers assaulted the individual and that this led to his death.

“Protesters vandalised the water pump and pipes at the court, which caused flooding both outside and inside. They destroyed most of the windows at the court. They broke down the perimeter fencing at the court, and they also set the entrance hall on fire, which destroyed the front entrance door,” said McKenzie.

“I think a lot of those community members are now waiting for the outcome of the autopsy report, because if indeed it was the police who murdered the individual, that community will certainly rise up and take the matter on to the streets. [However], if it comes out through the autopsy that he had a heart attack, I think it will then calm the situation completely.

‘Grossly disappointed’

“I’m grossly disappointed in the actions of the community. These are the very same communities that are screaming out for help, for more police.

“They are screaming for more courts or the courts to work quicker to provide justice for the situations they find themselves in. But these are the very same people that will destroy and vandalise and break down that infrastructure.

“We cannot put our own lives on the line for gangsters when gangsters are the ones that are placing our communities in absolute danger and terror on a daily basis,” said McKenzie.

Perimeter fencing at the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court was vandalised. (Photo: Supplied / Angus McKenzie)

Bishop Lavis is known for high volumes of gang violence and Daily Maverick has previously reported that some parts of the suburb are strongholds of the 28s gang.

Read more: Shake-up in SA’s gang capital — Latest shooting points to broader Cape Town gang ructions

Kgalalelo Masibi, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s spokesperson, called for swift action to bring those responsible for vandalising and burning the courthouse to justice and urged the community to cooperate with law enforcement authorities.

“Courts are institutions that uphold justice, equality and order in our democracy. We therefore appeal to all members of the community to respect and protect these pillars of our legal system. Let us stand united in defending our courts and preserving the values they represent,” said Masibi.

“Despite the challenges posed by the protest, court operations are proceeding as usual, with all matters, including criminal cases, maintenance, domestic violence and estates, proceeding as scheduled. No cases have been referred to other courts and the court roll continues without interruption.

“An assessment of damage to the court building has been completed and estimates for repairs are still pending as the department’s supply chain management team is currently managing the matter. We are pleased to report that no court files were stolen or damaged during the unrest. This has enabled the court to maintain essential services without any setbacks.”

Community Policing Forum member Graham Lindhorst said: “There’s no reason for any person to take the law into their own hands.”

Read more: Gang brutality sparks Western Cape festive season fears after 12 killed in two ‘heinous’ mass shootings

South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) spokesperson Given Makhuvelesaid said, “No grievance justifies an attack on the institutions that are vital for promoting and protecting the rights of citizens and for providing necessary services.”

McKenzie said there was a large police presence at the court on Monday and “the situation remains tense”. DM