Security upgrade for all judges after theft

The Office of the Chief Justice will review its security measures, and those of all judges, following a burglary at the Midrand, Johannesburg, office early on Saturday.

Spokesman Nathi Mncube said the burglary revealed “a need to improve security”.

“This is an opportunity to review all security measures relating to judges.” The burglars made off with 15 computers, on some of which sensitive information about the country’s 250 judges was stored, from the human resources section of the office.

• Parliament disturbed by break-in at offices of Chief JusticeParliament said on Sunday it was disturbed by the news of the break-in at the offices of the Chief Justice‚ in which at least 15 computers were stolen.

The Office of the Chief Justice is the administrative centre of the South African judiciary.

Speculation is rife about the motive for the theft. The burglars left behind most of the computer monitors, a source with knowledge of the investigation has said.

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

The source said the burglars entered through an emergency door and stole computers on the first floor but not those on the ground floor. Police spokesman Colonel Athlenda Mathe said the preliminary investigation was complete.

• 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.

President Jacob Zuma has expressed concern about the robbery.