ONLY 20 ALLOWED IN COURT – CJ

MBABANE – As of yesterday, only people with a direct and substantial interest in a case will be permitted in court.

This was announced by Chief Justice (cj) Bheki Maphalala during the swearing in of two new permanent judges of the Industrial Court, Dumsile Faith Dlamini and Manene Musa Thwala at the High Court. The CJ said per session, not more than 20 people would be allowed inside a courtroom. Maphalala also said all remand hearings would be conducted at Correctional Services centres with effect from yesterday. When making the announcement, Maphalala said he was invoking Practice Directive 1/2020, 3/2020, 4/2020 as well as 5/2020 in terms of the Constitution.

This, according to Maphalala, has been necessitated by the upsurge in COVID-19 cases. Some members of staff at the High Court and other courts have tested positive for the virus. The CJ said proceedings had to be adjourned to fumigate the courts on various occasions with a view to ameliorate the spread of the virus. “Some of our support staff are currently being hospitalised as a result of the COVID-19 infection,” said the chief justice. He further mentioned that all persons entering the premises in all courts in the country as well as the Master of the High Court would be subjected to a COVID-19 scanner at the entry point with a view to control the spread of the virus. The notice, according to Maphalala, is with immediate effect. The chief justice pointed out that all remand hearings would be conducted at the Correctional Services centres and principal magistrates would designate magistrates to preside over the remand hearings at the Correctional facilities.

Inmates

Inmates, said Maphalala, would not be transported to magistrates courts for remand hearings pending further advice and all criminal, civil and labour matters would continue being heard in all courts in the country. “Only persons with a direct and substantial interest in all matters inclusive of legal practitioners, litigants, close relatives, accused persons, witnesses, court support staff and media practitioners will be permitted to attend court hearings to the extent that they do not exceed 20 people per session,” said Maphalala.

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