By Lauren Isaacs and Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Services (SAPS) says more arrests are imminent in the deadly shooting inside the Wynberg Magistrates Court in Western Cape.
Serious violent crime detectives made a breakthrough over the weekend, when they arrested a woman who allegedly masterminded last week’s attack.
She made her first court appearance on Monday and at the same time, a second suspect was taken into custody.
A taxi operator from Vrygrond, who was facing murder and attempted murder charges, was killed in the suspected hit.
Police said that four more arrests were on the cards in connection with the brazen shooting inside the court exactly a week ago.
Meanwhile, the alleged mastermind, Shireen Mathews, is due back in the dock next Wednesday.
Security at Wynberg Magistrates Court was beefed up as Matthews made her first appearance on Monday, with security guards conducting thorough searches and leading members of the public through a metal detector upon entering the building.
Following last week’s murder, the deceased’s attorney told Eyewitness News that the metal detectors at that court were not working.
Acting provincial police commissioner, Bongani Maqashalala, who attended court proceedings, said that discussions will be held with the justice department, as access control was their responsibility.
Meanwhile Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has welcomed the arrests in connection with a deadly shooting last week.
Marais said,” I congratulate the Western Cape Serious and Violent Crimes Detectives for their excellent work in tracking down the alleged killer. I urged the South African Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation to secure a successful conviction. The judicial system should deal decisively with those who have a total disregard for the authority of the state.”