Flooded holding cells raise security concerns at courthouse in Evander
Police officers and members of the public are worried about their safety.
The holding cells at the Evander Magistrate’s Court have been flooded since last year, forcing police officers to keep suspects in court offices before and after their appearances.
Officers have raised serious concerns, saying the situation is a security risk and makes their work extremely difficult. According to some, this is not a new problem, as the holding cells reportedly flood annually.
Community members attending court proceedings were shocked, describing the situation as dangerous for the police, court officials, and the public.
“The public is forced to use the same toilets as suspects, while an officer waits outside. What if the suspect I opened a case against finds me inside the toilet? My life would be in danger. It would be much safer if suspects used the toilets inside the holding cells,” said a community member.
Residents also complained that seeing suspects move freely through court passages increases the risk of escape.
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“Last year, an escape was reported at the Evander courthouse because of this problem. Why is it so difficult for the government to maintain these holding cells?” one resident asked.
Community member Mthunzi Vuma criticised authorities for what he called misplaced priorities, “We cannot keep complaining about the same issue every year. Instead of fixing the flooding problem in the holding cells, they built nice offices. They are prioritising luxury over service delivery.”
The community is calling on the relevant government departments to urgently address the flooding to ensure safety, security, and proper functioning of the justice system.
Moeti Mmusi, the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, said the department is communicating with other departments involved to resolve the matter. In the meantime, they would ensure the court runs smoothly without hindrances.
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