Rebecca Jackman
THE Cape Town Magistrate’s Court was evacuated yesterday morning after a man tried to get drugs into the building by passing a packet of drugs to a woman who was already inside.
Police spokesman FC Van Wyk said the 48-year-old man attempted to enter the court at about 9.30am, but was stopped by security and searched.
He was carrying a white plastic Mr Price bag, which he quickly handed to a 28-year-old woman who had come from somewhere inside the building to meet the man at the entrance.
“She took the bag and went up the stairs. The unknown man was kept behind by the security at the entrance,” said Van Wyk.
After a search of the building, the woman was found inside court 25 – still in possession of the bag.
Police examined its contents and found nine “dagga bullets” and one “bankie dagga”.
Van Wyk said police consulted with the Chief Magistrate and the decision was taken to evacuate the building as a security measure after the breach.
The SAPS K9 dog unit were brought in to sweep the building along with six SAPS members and court security, but it was declared safe at around 11.20am when both staff and the public were allowed to re-enter the building.
Both suspects were detained on charges of dealing and possession of dagga. Van Wyk said they will appear in court soon.
Speculation was rife outside the court yesterday as about 200 people stood outside, questioning what was going on inside after the evacuation. Many people thought guns had been smuggled into the building, while others said they thought there was a bomb inside.
Before re-entering the building, all members of the public were asked to open their bags, remove hats and shoes and place any metal possessions or coins in a tray to be checked by security.