DA to submit questions on security at Chief Justice’s office in wake of break-in

The Democratic Alliance says the break-in at the Office of the Chief Justice is an attack on the judiciary and that it will be asking questions in Parliament about the lack of adequate security at the premises.

Brazen thieves made off with 15 computers containing confidential information on South Africa’s judges and officials in the robbery.

“This is an attack on our judiciary which we must all condemn in the strongest terms‚” said DA spokesperson on justice Adv Glynnis Breytenbach‚ adding that the DA was “shocked and angered” over the incident.

“The DA will be submitting parliamentary questions as to why there wasn't adequate security at the office of the Chief Justice which allowed for the break-in to occur‚” Breytenbach said.

• Special team to probe theft at Mogoeng Mogoeng's officeActing national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane has set up a team of detectives to investigate the brazen break-in at Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng's office in the early hours yesterday.

Like the robbery at the Helen Suzman Foundation‚ almost a year ago exactly‚ the DA viewed this as an act of intimidation‚ she added.

“It is highly suspicious that the break-in occurred the day after the Constitutional Court handed down a damning judgment in which they were highly critical of the Minister of Social Development‚ Bathabile Dlamini‚ and the social grants crisis she has manufactured.

“The DA welcomes that a special team of detectives have been assigned to investigate and urge them to find those responsible for this brazen attack as soon as humanly possible.

• Burglary at Mogoeng's office an ‘assault on sanctity of SA institutions': ANCThe ANC has called on law enforcement agencies to “use all resources” to ensure that those involved with a burglary at the Office of the Chief Justice are dealt with “to the full extent of the law.”

“Attacks on the judiciary cannot be allowed to stand and must be dealt with with the urgency and seriousness they deserve‚” Breytenbach stated.