EWN reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) has echoed the call by magistrates for the government to consider providing them with extra security following the apparent hit on a magistrate in Bronkhorstspruit.  

Magistrate Victor Mabunda was shot four times and killed in his driveway on Wednesday afternoon, on his return from the Cullinan Magistrate's Court.  Various judicial associations have accused the justice department of failing to protect magistrates.  The PSA supported this view.  PSA General Manager, Ivan Fredericks, said:  “The PSA is dismayed that the life of a person tasked with upholding justice has to end in such a way.  The Union calls upon the South African Police Service to thoroughly investigate this case and to speedily arrest the perpetrators.”  However, the Department of Justice’s John Jefferey said judges, prosecutors, magistrates and investigating officers all worked with dangerous cases and were provided protection upon request.  Jefferey said Mabunda had not indicated his life was in danger and therefore no protection was supplied.

• Read this report by Hitekani Magwedze in full at EWN
• See too, Union calls for 'speedy arrest' of magistrate’s killers, at News24
• Read the PSA’s press statement at PSA online

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page