Mthatha court staff, lawyers, suspects evacuated as building catches fire

Mthatha Magistrate's Court staff, lawyers, magistrates and prosecutors, suspects and complainants were evacuated as the building caught fire.

The incident happened shortly after lunchtime and police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said that it was not yet clear as what caused the fire. ''Police are investigating an arson case,'' said Fatyela.

The fire started in the office where cases are captured and some dockets kept. But Fatyela said that they could not say how many dockets have been affected.

"But if there are any, people should not think that that is the end. We have copies of back-up of each and every docket,'' said Fatyela.

The King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality which have serious problems with fire engines was again yesterday at the centre of blame.

There was not a single fire engine from the KSD arrived and the fire brigade station is less than kilometre away from the magistrate's court.

There was no explanation from the KSD municipalities as to why they do not have fire engines.

Fire engines from OR Tambo, SANDF military base and the Mthatha Airport arrived about two hours after the fire started. People were angry and shouted at them thinking that they were from KSD.