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Thread: Safety at our courts
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14-03-2024, 14:05 #1
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- May 2013
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- Gauteng
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Safety at our courts
A friend, who is an acting magistrate, told me of a recent troubling development in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court that made me fear for my safety, and the safety of those who visit our courts.
A prominent attorney in the Vaal arrived at court drunk, with a bogus Ex Parte Application. He started abusing the court clerks (and even making sexually abusive comments towards one female clerk) and demanded to see the magistrate immediately. The magistrate told him he would not entertain his application, both due to it being without merits and due to him not being properly dressed (he was wearing shorts and crocs under his attorney's robe). This set him off, causing him to swear at the magistrate, calling him racial slurs and challenging him to a fight outside, and security had to be called to remove him. He escaped them and pulled out a knife, announcing his decision to "get" said magistrate. Thankfully security was able to restrain him and prevent anyone from getting hurt.
To those of you who frequent the courts regularly, for work reasons (like myself) or other concerns, please be safe, be aware of your surroundings, and don't assume you are not in danger simply because it's a court of law; because criminals and crazies don't respect the temples of our legal system (even if said criminal/crazy is an attorney).
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14-03-2024, 14:09 #2
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- Aug 2011
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- Sandton
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Re: Safety at our courts
A dodgy lawyer! Who could have imagined that such a thing was possible.
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14-03-2024, 14:16 #3
Re: Safety at our courts
Yeah, don't expect court security guards to be of any use.
My partner is an attorney. Went to court, had flat shoes in her bag. Was told that they were not allowed in because they could be used as a weapon (she wears a size 3 - the only way her shoes will be dangerous is as a choking hazard).
She had to book them in to the gun register and lock them in the safe.
The shoes on her feet - no problem.
The gun in her bag, clearly visible on the x-ray - no problem.
The knife - no problem.
Pepper spray - no problem.Cattle die, kindred die, every man is mortal:
But I know one thing that never dies,
the glory of the great dead.
Havamal
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14-03-2024, 15:00 #4
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- Jan 2014
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- Vuil Driehoek
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- 48
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- 2,689
Re: Safety at our courts
SAPS are right next door...
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14-03-2024, 16:13 #5
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- Sandton
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- 8,290
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14-03-2024, 16:50 #6
- Join Date
- Jan 2014
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- Vuil Driehoek
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- 48
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- 2,689
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14-03-2024, 17:31 #7
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- Jul 2008
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- Brits, North West
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- 50
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- 3,259
Re: Safety at our courts
I once went through security with a Leatherman and a CZ75 on my belt. Now the motorcycle helmet, THAT had to be booked in ...
This was in the Pretoria high court.
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14-03-2024, 17:50 #8
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- Aug 2011
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- Sandton
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- 8,290
Re: Safety at our courts
Had a similar experience at JHB magistrates court. P07 on waist behind the hip, two mags on opposite hip and knife in pocket. Went through the detectors which wailed. Stopped briefly and when the two security guys remained engaged with whatever they were doing I walked on. After a week of wearing a steel leg brace that triggered the detectors after an op I realised that I could use it as cover for carrying on a big bank client site in the CBD. I used to get waved through every day for the better part of six months. At the same place I needed to carry two laptops and at the time there was a spate of thefts. Every time I left the building I pulled one laptop out and showed it's serial and was waved on. Pretty sure that's how the others were stolen. Security as a service in SA is largely mental floss in imo. Makes people feel better for having it but achieves FA.
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14-03-2024, 17:55 #9
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- Oct 2013
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- near pmb, kzn.
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- 36
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Re: Safety at our courts
Yes security at court is laughable, I've sat behind a perp, apprehended on our property for whom the dockets grew to 4 boxes, with my firearm and 2 knives.
It could easily have been him with those weapons and his intentions could have been revenge.
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14-03-2024, 19:56 #10
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- May 2013
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- Gauteng
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- 42
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- 2,136
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