They stood patiently waiting for their names to be called from the court registrar as it seemed to be business as usual outside the Potchefstroom Magistrate Court, where a roof collapsed. The incident happened on Monday afternoon leaving court staff and attendees to work from outside the court. Attendees had mixed emotions with some saying it's better to have a postponement than to come all this way and turned back while others felt that their privacy was being violated because people were being identified according to their cases. "GBV, maintenance this side ,"  the court orderly shouted.

BUSINESS AS USUAL

While the different courts were in session, Extended Public Works Programme employees continued to clear out rubble from the collapsed roof and throwing it out. Speaking to Zimoja Paulina Leepile said she had come for a maintenance dispute.
"I was here last month and was told to come today. They could have at least notified us via SMS that the roof collapsed. However, I suspect that they are avoiding a backlog and that's why they opted to at least give us postponements, she said. She explained that the maintenance court struggles with dates because she was told that they would squeeze her in, now the roof incident is going to cause further delays.
Another woman, who refused to be named, said she came for a GBV case and used her last money to commute to court.
"I've already had three postponements and it's costly for me to come here. I know that today is going to be another one, but it's fine because what if they let us in and then suddenly the whole building collapses on us. It is old after all," she said. Selina Ngesi told Zimoja that she was hoping to go back home with her son tomorrow.
"My 21 year old was supposed to appear for bail today. His matter was postponed last week to today, now I have to turn back with this bail money. My friend warned me last week that this building will soon collapse and look what happened now. This wouldn't have happened if the government was maintaining buildings."

EXTENT OF DAMAGE

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Steve Mahlangu of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development confirmed that the Potchefstroom Margistrate court has been temporarily evacuated.  "The collapsed roof affected the cash hall, offices used by officials who deal with maintenance and the clerk of the civil court. No casualties were reported as the incident happened after hours." Mahlangu said the Department of Public Works, as the custodian of the building, is currently making the assessment on the extent of the damages and will guide the Justice Department thereafter.