Judiciary reviews security protocols after prosecutor attack
Lack of protections in the spotlight
Following the recent attack on a state prosecutor in Ondangwa, the judiciary has launched a review of security measures for prosecutors, magistrates and other vulnerable judicial officers. The initiative is being led by chief justice Peter Shivute.
Benhardt Kukuri, executive director of the Office of the Judiciary, confirmed in an interview with Namibian Sun that a task force has been established to assess security needs, both at court premises and in the residences of judicial officers.
“I don't think any attack is a good thing. We don't like it,” Kukuri said.
Following the Ondangwa incident, Shivute convened a meeting with all heads of security clusters and established a task force to conduct a comprehensive review.
“A comprehensive review of the whole parameters of courts and residences of prosecutors, magistrates and other sensitive court officials is underway,” Kukuri confirmed.
The task force is working with the justice ministry and judiciary. Kukuri explained that the work is ongoing and will take time before the full report is submitted to Shivute, after which funding arrangements will be considered.
‘You are on your own’
A state prosecutor, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the dangers faced by prosecutors handling sensitive cases.
“To be honest with you, our job is very risky because of all the sensitive cases that we deal with. We deal with people who have committed murder, rape or even major fraud,” the prosecutor said.
He described the personal risk involved in prosecuting high-profile criminals: “Some of these people are breadwinners, and they have relatives in custody. If someone was providing for you, you don't want them to be out there. You have to watch your back.”
He highlighted the lack of protection for prosecutors: “Unlike in Botswana, where prosecutors have police officers guarding their houses, in Namibia, only judges are guarded. Magistrates and prosecutors have nothing. You are on your own.”
Security infrastructure is often limited, particularly in smaller towns. “In smaller towns, houses often don't even have wall fences. People will know where you stay. They will know the registration number of your car. You are left on your own. You have to increase your security yourself. If necessary, you buy a gun and protect yourself.”
Following the Ondangwa attack, he said the judiciary and justice ministry have begun planning security upgrades: “Our office, together with the Ministry of Justice, has now embarked on a process of putting wall fences around prosecutors' houses. They will earmark the houses for the prosecutors and install wall fences. But in terms of police officers or security guards guarding your house, there are absolutely none."
In-depth overviews
Kukuri said the security assessments are designed to evaluate which magistrates work on specific cases, their personal threat levels and any recommendations they may make about their safety.
Prosecutors handling sensitive cases will also have their security needs considered, with the task force carefully keeping certain details confidential to avoid revealing vulnerabilities within the courts.
Kukuri also emphasised that currently, any magistrate or judicial officer who feels threatened can relay their concerns through the proper structures to the chief justice, who will then acquire the necessary security from the police.
“So, that's the standard practice,” he said. “If a judge works on sensitive cases, the assessment is done and then we give a protective detail and so on. So, if a magistrate feels they are threatened, the police escort and everybody are available for them. They must just provide us with the threat assessment.”
Boost protections
He clarified the existing provisions for judicial protection, noting that judges have the option of a state-provided home guard: “In the regulations for judges, there is a provision that a home guard is given to them at state cost. They exercise the option. They may say, ‘I don't want to bring a guard to my house.’ But if they feel threatened and feel they need that support, we provide it at state cost.”
He confirmed that similar provisions do not currently apply to magistrates or other court officials: “Only for judges. The others fall under the Magistrates' Commission. While they are working on that, the chief justice has initiated a full study. So, that's what we are working on.”
Benhardt Kukuri, executive director of the Office of the Judiciary, confirmed in an interview with Namibian Sun that a task force has been established to assess security needs, both at court premises and in the residences of judicial officers.
“I don't think any attack is a good thing. We don't like it,” Kukuri said.
Following the Ondangwa incident, Shivute convened a meeting with all heads of security clusters and established a task force to conduct a comprehensive review.
“A comprehensive review of the whole parameters of courts and residences of prosecutors, magistrates and other sensitive court officials is underway,” Kukuri confirmed.
The task force is working with the justice ministry and judiciary. Kukuri explained that the work is ongoing and will take time before the full report is submitted to Shivute, after which funding arrangements will be considered.
‘You are on your own’
A state prosecutor, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the dangers faced by prosecutors handling sensitive cases.
“To be honest with you, our job is very risky because of all the sensitive cases that we deal with. We deal with people who have committed murder, rape or even major fraud,” the prosecutor said.
He described the personal risk involved in prosecuting high-profile criminals: “Some of these people are breadwinners, and they have relatives in custody. If someone was providing for you, you don't want them to be out there. You have to watch your back.”
He highlighted the lack of protection for prosecutors: “Unlike in Botswana, where prosecutors have police officers guarding their houses, in Namibia, only judges are guarded. Magistrates and prosecutors have nothing. You are on your own.”
Security infrastructure is often limited, particularly in smaller towns. “In smaller towns, houses often don't even have wall fences. People will know where you stay. They will know the registration number of your car. You are left on your own. You have to increase your security yourself. If necessary, you buy a gun and protect yourself.”
Following the Ondangwa attack, he said the judiciary and justice ministry have begun planning security upgrades: “Our office, together with the Ministry of Justice, has now embarked on a process of putting wall fences around prosecutors' houses. They will earmark the houses for the prosecutors and install wall fences. But in terms of police officers or security guards guarding your house, there are absolutely none."
In-depth overviews
Kukuri said the security assessments are designed to evaluate which magistrates work on specific cases, their personal threat levels and any recommendations they may make about their safety.
Prosecutors handling sensitive cases will also have their security needs considered, with the task force carefully keeping certain details confidential to avoid revealing vulnerabilities within the courts.
Kukuri also emphasised that currently, any magistrate or judicial officer who feels threatened can relay their concerns through the proper structures to the chief justice, who will then acquire the necessary security from the police.
“So, that's the standard practice,” he said. “If a judge works on sensitive cases, the assessment is done and then we give a protective detail and so on. So, if a magistrate feels they are threatened, the police escort and everybody are available for them. They must just provide us with the threat assessment.”
Boost protections
He clarified the existing provisions for judicial protection, noting that judges have the option of a state-provided home guard: “In the regulations for judges, there is a provision that a home guard is given to them at state cost. They exercise the option. They may say, ‘I don't want to bring a guard to my house.’ But if they feel threatened and feel they need that support, we provide it at state cost.”
He confirmed that similar provisions do not currently apply to magistrates or other court officials: “Only for judges. The others fall under the Magistrates' Commission. While they are working on that, the chief justice has initiated a full study. So, that's what we are working on.”
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