Two People Shot Dead at Booysens Magistrate’s Court, Attorney Remains in Critical Condition

• Law enforcement agencies are at the Booysens Magistrate's Court following a brazen shooting
• Two victims were shot dead at the court, while three others were injured, including an attorney
• Police have launched a hunt for the three suspects, who first fled on foot before escaping in a vehicle

GAUTENG – Two people have been killed in a shooting at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Oakdene, south of Johannesburg.

The victims, who are believed to be witnesses in a case, were shot dead at the court on 20 January 2026. A lawyer and two others were also injured in the shooting.

Attorney in critical condition

While details are still scarce, it is understood that an attorney was among the five people who were shot. While two died, and two others were injured, the attorney remains in critical condition. The gunmen fled in a white Audi A1.

Law enforcement agencies are currently on scene, and civilians are urged to avoid the area while investigations continue. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that police were on the lookout for three suspects.

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She explained that they fled the court area on foot before they jumped into a vehicle. Brigadier Muridili claimed that the suspects fled in a cloned vehicle. She explained that the number plate was the same as a vehicle that was currently out of order, and so was termed a cloned vehicle.

Deputy Justice Minister to visit the scene

The Ministry has released a statement, where it condemned the incident, while saying it was awaiting further details from law enforcement agencies and court management about the situation.

The Ministry also confirmed it will work with the relevant security and law enforcement authorities to ensure all necessary measures are implemented to safeguard members of the public and the court personnel.

The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, also visited the scene to assess the situation.

Shooting linked to 2025 murder

As more information came to light, it was found that the shooting at the court was linked to a murder case in 2025. The person appearing in court was Miguel Swartz, who was charged with the murder of Trinesh Pillay, a 17-year-old from Lenasia South. Pillay was stabbed to death at a Mondeor pool hall in 2025.

Swartz, who was arrested for the crime, appeared before the Booysens Magistrate's Court and was reportedly leaving when three suspects opened fire at them.

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According to Crime Watch host Yusuf Abramjee, Swartz's father was one of the victims of the shooting.

Other shootings at the country's courts in 2025

Briefly News reported that there have been several fatal shootings at courts in other parts of the country.

• In January 2025, a man was shot dead in broad daylight at the Lenasia Magistrate's Court.
• Five people were arrested for the April 2025 murder of a man at the Wynberg Magistrate's Court.
• In August 2025, two men were shot outside the Mitchell's Plain Magistrate's Court, resulting in one of them dying.

Source: Briefly News