South Africa mourns ‘murdered’ magistrate
APA-Cape Town The South African goverment says it is mourning Magistrate Romay van Rooyen who was found dead, apparently murdered at her home in Marina da Gama last weekend. It vows to investigate the apparent murder of the Cape Town magistrate and hunt down those behind it. Ms Van Rooyen, 50 started her career as a prosecutor in 1997, prosecuting in the district…
APA-Cape Town (South Africa) The South African goverment says it is mourning Magistrate Romay van Rooyen who was found dead, apparently murdered at her home in Marina da Gama last weekend.
Although her death was linked to robbery after investigators found that her car is missing from her home, her family have ruled it out.
In a statement on Wednesday, the South African Justice and Correctional Services ministry said it is shocked and deeply saddened by the incident.
It vows to investigate the apparent murder of the Cape Town magistrate and hunt down those behind it.
Ms Van Rooyen, 50 started her career as a prosecutor in 1997, prosecuting in the district and regional courts before becoming a state advocate in the Western Cape High Court.
She became an acting Magistrate in 2016 where she presided at various Magistrates Courts in the Western Cape and was, with effect from 1 October 2021, permanently appointed as additional Magistrate for the Vredenburg Magistrates Court.
The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola, in expressing his sadness, called on criminal justice system role-players to bring the perpetrators swiftly to book.
“The safety of our judicial officers remains an utmost priority. Magistrate’s Van Rooyen’s untimely passing is a devastating loss to our judiciary and our courts. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends and colleagues,” said Minister Lamola.
