The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, will temporarily cease operations Monday due to a power outage affecting the court and surrounding areas.
The legal fraternity and the public arrived at a completely dark court in the morning, with the doors closed. Security personnel guarding the entrance told those who gathered in front of the building that it is unknown when the power would be restored.
The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ), as a government department, meanwhile, issued a statement confirming the temporary closure of this division of the high court due to a power failure affecting the court and surrounding areas in the CBD.
The OCJ said affected parties will be contacted regarding alternative arrangements for all matters scheduled on the court roll for the day.
The court has been in contact with the Tshwane Municipality, and restoration efforts are currently underway. While there is a generator at the building, it is not known why it is not in operation.
A court official who was waiting outside for the power to be restored said the generator has not been working for a few years. Asked about this issue, the OCJ responded that “no further comment will be provided on this matter”.
Members of the legal fraternity, meanwhile, patiently waited outside court for more than an hour in the hope that the City of Tshwane would speedily resolve the issue. Some said they had managed to have their matters postponed through the registrar of the court, while others resolved to return on Tuesday to try and sort out matters.
Zelda Venter
iol.co.za
