Concourt hammer accused in dock
THE man who allegedly damaged parts of the Constitutional Court on Wednesday briefly appeared in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Paul Makaula, 36, is facing a charge of malicious damage to property and was remanded in custody until March 25.
He abandoned his bail application, said Phindi Mjonondwane, the National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson.
Makaula was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly smashing the windows of the Constitutional Court building.
Police responded following a report of a man attacking the court’s windows with a hammer. It is alleged that upon arrival at the court, the SAPS found Makaula damaging the apex court infrastructure.
Mjonondwane said the investigation process was at an early stage, and more charges were likely to be added in terms of the National Key Points Act.
She said investigations conducted by Lieutenant-colonel Ingrid Simons revealed that Makaula was a parolee following a 15 year sentence imposed in 2010 for murder.
This information would be forwarded to the Department of Correctional Services for further processing.
The National Prosecuting Authority, meanwhile, said it viewed the attack on the National Key Point as a direct attack on the rule of law, and would prosecute anyone who posed a threat to any institution that symbolises the country’s democratic dispensation.
Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo this week commented that he noted that the incident happened shortly after the Parliament building was damaged by a fire.
“The acting chief justice is satisfied with the report that security officials and the police were able to act swiftly to apprehend the suspect and prevent further damage to the building,” the Office of the Chief Justice said.
“Further, the judiciary appeals to all relevant organs of the state and functionaries responsible for state facilities and security services to ensure a threat and risk-based assessment