The trial of four men accused of murdering a fellow gang member in the Stellenbosch Magistrates' court begins today and Mr Bulelani Ngcuka, head of the national directorate of public prosecutions (NDPP) has promised that justice will be swift.
"Murder at any time is a foul crime; murder in a courtroom undermines the fundamental fabric of a democratic society." he said.
Members of the Americans gang, Leondard Adams, Moegamat Majal, Jacobus Philander and Gert Jantjies allegedly murdered Kevin Williams while he was in court on 18 September 1998. At the same time they also allegedly attempted to murder another gang member, Isak November.
Key witnesses in the crime are the magistrate and court officials who were present at the time.
Because of the far-reaching implications of the crime, Mr Ngcuka ordered his department to fast-track the prosecution. The result is that the case against the four accused is being brought to trial in the Cape High Court today, just three months after the crime was committed, more than four times faster than usual. "In recent South African history a case of this nature could have taken more than a year to bring to trial." said Mr Ngcuka. "We concentrated resources on this case to speedily prepare a solid prosecution to send a message that we will not tolerate such an outrage.
"The concept of murders taking place in a courtroom while a trial is being conducted is simply intolerable. Justice must be done quickly and fairly to send a message to the community that their rights will be protected and to the criminals that evil will be punished."
Mr Ngcuka anticipates that the trial will be over within two weeks. "Nor will this fast-track prosecution be unusual. "he said. "We hope that this is the speed with which we will act in serious crimes."
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