Mtubatuba court fire investigation ongoing

MTUBATUBA police are working around the clock to identify and find the suspects who torched the office of the regional court prosecutor last Thursday.

Saps spokesperson Captain Justice Hlabisa said a case of malicious damage to property was registered.

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‘Many dockets of serious cases were destroyed in the fire. Fortunately, firefighters arrived in time to control the blaze before it spread to other offices,’ Hlabisa said.

‘At this stage it is not clear how many dockets were destroyed.

‘It is difficult to predict, but I can divulge that the office where the fire raged contained murder and rape dockets. Two cabinets containing these dockets were gutted,’ Hlabisa said.

National Prosecution Authority spokesperson Natasha Kara said suspects whose dockets were destroyed in the fire won’t be released.

Duplicates of the destroyed dockets will be obtained to proceed with prosecution.

Hlabisa said security officers guarding the premises noticed thick smoke coming out of the office while doing their routine patrol.

‘The suspects gained access by digging a trench under the fence and breaking a second steel fence in the courtyard before breaking the window of the office in question,’ said Hlabisa.

‘We urge anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the investigation officer, Captain Themba Mnyandu, on 079 5001468 or 076 3652808.’