LSSA CONDEMNS SHOOTING AT BOOYSENS MAGISTRATE’S COURT AND CALLS FOR URGENT STRENGTHENING OF COURT SECURITY
21 January 2026
Press release
The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) expresses its deep shock and grave concern following the shooting incident at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, which resulted in the tragic loss of two lives and left at least three others injured, including a legal practitioner.
According to preliminary reports, five people were shot at the court precinct, with two fatalities declared at the scene and three individuals transported to hospital for medical treatment. The incident occurred as a group of people, who had been attending court proceedings, were leaving the premises, when armed assailants allegedly opened fire before fleeing the scene.
The President of the Law Society of South Africa, Nkosana Mvundlela, has conveyed the organisation’s heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and extended wishes of strength and recovery to those who were injured.
“This violent attack within the vicinity of a court precinct is a direct affront to the rule of law and the administration of justice. Courts must remain safe spaces where legal practitioners, litigants, court officials, and members of the public can conduct and access justice without fear or intimidation. The LSSA strongly condemns this senseless act of violence and stands in solidarity with all those affected,” said Mr Mvundlela.
The LSSA notes that law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation into the incident and that senior officials from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development have indicated that security measures around court precincts will be reviewed and strengthened.
The LSSA calls on the relevant authorities to urgently assess and reinforce security infrastructure not only within court buildings, but also in surrounding precincts, including parking areas and access points. This must include increased visible policing, improved access control measures, and enhanced coordination between court security and the South African Police Service.
“The safety of legal practitioners and court users is not negotiable. The justice system cannot function effectively in an environment where violence threatens those tasked with upholding the law. We urge government to prioritise the protection of judicial institutions and all who serve within them,” Mr Mvundlela added.
The LSSA will continue to engage with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure that concrete and sustainable security interventions are implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA,
Nkosana Francois Mvundlela
For media inquiries, please contact:
LSSA Communication Manager: Mapula Oliphant
Tel: (012) 366 8808
Cell: 076 026 5997
Editor’s note: The Law Society of South Africa brings together the Black Lawyers Association, the National Association of Democratic Lawyers and Independent attorneys, in representing the attorneys’ profession in South Africa.
