Blaze causes havoc as court documents destroyed

All court cases at Mqanduli have been postponed for a lengthy period after the court was razed by fire on Thursday night leaving many documents including court dockets damaged by the blaze.

Almost the entire building was gutted by the violent fire which started at 7pm on Thursday.

Justice Department spokesman Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said they have yet not  made a proper assessment, ''' but more than 85% of the building has been damaged".'

''Court documents and other important files have been damaged, but there are those few that have been rescued,'' said Mhaga.

The blaze brought the wheels of justice to a halt as court operations would be suspended for lengthy period.

''Meanwhile, the court proceedings were temporarily held at the adjacent Mqanduli Police Station. All the cases were postponed for a length period due to this situation. We are also looking at providing temporarily structures,'' said Mhaga.

Mqanduli police spokesman Major Zamukulungisa Jozana said eight offices and the only two magistrates' courtrooms have been damaged.

''Only three offices are not affected by the fire. A case of arson has been opened but no arrests have yet been made,'' said Jozana.

Both Mhaga and Jozana said it was not yet clear as what caused the fire.

''We are expecting forensic fire investigators from Port Elizabeth who will determined the cause of the fire,'' said Mhaga. --