An unidentified man phoned a Telkom operator at 08:42 on Thursday and claimed he had planted a bomb on one of the floors of Wynberg Magistrates Court. Court security and SAPS officers reacted instantly to the Wynberg bomb threat. They evacuated all staff lawyers accused persons and members of the public. Police closed surrounding roads to vehicles and pedestrians and commuters because of the Wynberg bomb threat.
SAPS Deploys Specialist Units
Western Cape police immediately sent K9 explosive-detection dogs and the Bomb Disposal Unit to the court due to the threat. Handlers and technicians searched every floor room and office.
Captain FC van Wyk Western Cape SAPS spokesperson confirmed: “This office can confirm a bomb threat at Wynberg Magistrates Court today at about 8.42am. According to reports the Telkom operator received a call from a person informing that there is a bomb planted on one of the floors. The security court manager and SAPS were immediately informed and the building was evacuated.”
Police Give All-Clear at 12:00
Specialist teams completed the search at exactly 12:00 and found no suspicious items related to the threat.
Captain van Wyk announced: “At 12pm Wynberg Magistrate’s Court was opened following the sweep of SAPS K9 explosive dog. No suspicious parcels were found.”
Court officials reopened the building and magistrates resumed hearings soon after. The bomb threat delayed operations for over three hours but caused no injuries or damage concerning the Wynberg bomb.
Second Serious Incident in 2025
The court already faced a fatal shooting on the fourth floor in April this year. That incident prompted the Department of Justice to strengthen security measures. Thursday’s threat occurrence at Wynberg bomb tested those new protocols and officers say the response worked effectively.
