Two people were killed and three others wounded in a shooting outside the Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday, after a court appearance connected to a 2025 murder case, authorities said.

Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said initial information indicates a group leaving the court was targeted in the court precinct. She said the accused in the related case was present but was not hurt during the incident as reported by IOL

Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel said officials from the justice department were briefed by the South African Police Service following the attack. He linked the incident to a matter stemming from a fatal stabbing at a Mondeor pub last year, describing Tuesday’s appearance as a pre-trial conference ahead of the trial, which he said was scheduled to begin on 28 January.

According to Nel, the shooting happened in the parking area as the accused who is out on bail left with family members and a legal representative. Police later confirmed one of the injured was the accused’s lawyer, Paul Lisher.

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It was reported that the attackers fled in a white Audi with cloned number plates, and that police are investigating two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Nel said investigators were reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence, and cautioned that it was too early to speculate publicly about suspects or motive. The circumstances, he said, suggested the shooting may be connected to the underlying case, while not ruling out other possible links.