Covid-19: Soweto court closes due to positive case
Cases have been moved to other courts after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
The Protea Magistrates’ Court in Soweto has had to temporarily shut its doors after an employee tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Operations were suspended on 4 and 5 May to allow the court to be sanitised. All staff who had been in contact with the person who tested positive were screened, and advised to self-isolate until they had received their test results.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development released a statement saying the court would re-open on 6 May, pending an assessment after the completion of the decontamination and disinfection process.
The statement read, ‘It is likely that services will be affected, however alternative arrangements have been made to minimise any potential disruptions with existing cases being diverted to surrounding magistrates’ courts such as Lenasia, Meadowlands and Kliptown.’
This had also resulted in changes for the police who would in the interim need to arrange for all first court appearances to be moved to the Lenasia Magistrates’ Court.
“The safety and wellbeing of court users and officials is essential and we are committed to keeping the public updated as to developments around the court’s reopening,” the statement added.
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