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The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services has condemned in the strongest possible terms the robbery at the Office of the Chief Justice of South Africa, Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng.

Committee Chairperson, Dr Mathole Motshekga said, “The Committee is outraged at this type of criminality. This is a direct attack on our judiciary, judicial system and our hard fought democracy.”

The Committee was responding to reports about an armed robbery yesterday where 15 computers in the human resources unit were stolen. These computers contained sensitive and personal information about judges in the country and officials in the Office of the Chief Justice. “This puts the safety of our justices at risk, something that no South African can allow. It is clearly an attempt to undermine our justice system.

“We urge the police to leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators speedily to book and to deal harshly with them as a deterrent for such behaviour.”

The Committee commended the South African Police Service for the haste in which it has set up a task team to deal with this matter and for additional security measure that have already been assigned to Judges since the incident. “The speed in which this was done needs to be commended. The safety of our Judges is of paramount importance,” said Dr Motshekga.

Dr Motshekga said this further speaks to the safety measures at the Office of the Chief Justice. “The Committee will engage with the Chief Justice in an attempt to ascertain whether these measures are adequate or if reinforcements and additional measures are required. We cannot leave this office exposed for criminals as an easy target.”

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, Dr Mathole Motshekga