Durban Magistrate's Court set to re-open today after virus scare
The Durban Magistrate's Court is set to re-open on Thursday after a suspected case of COVID-19 forced the courthouse to close its doors on Monday.
Justice and Correctional Services spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri said those who had been in contact with the staff member have been identified and tested.
Phiri said safety measures have also been implemented. He outlined court operations under level 4 of the national lockdown.
"All criminal cases enrolled during alert level 4 must be postponed, save for prioritised cases or trials, those taking place within the context of the permitted services stipulated within the Regulations or where special arrangements have been made with the judicial officer hearing the matter."
"Access to the courts is limited to persons with a material interest in a case provided that a judicial officer directs the number of persons in a room be reduced to comply with safety measures and social distancing requirements."
"Trials relating to corruption, sexual offences, gender-based violence and Femicide (GBVF), serious violent crimes, robbery, murder and violation of COVID-19 Regulations will be prioritised," he said.
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He added: "Matters where children are detained in Child and Youth Care Centres, as well as Correctional Centres, must be brought before the court for consideration of continued detention."
"Civil cases that are not identified as urgent may not be placed on the court roll. However, Judicial Officers may authorise matters on the court roll to be heard through teleconference and videoconference means."
"Among others, child and spousal maintenance proceedings; protection orders in terms of the Domestic Violence Act (1998) or the Protection from Harassment (2011); foster care applications and hearings; matters in respect of the care and contact as of children, international child abduction cases and adoption applications and hearings, will be heard."
