A 35-year-old woman, identified as a lawyer, was shot dead near the CCMA offices in Johannesburg’s CBD on Monday. Preliminary reports say two unidentified gunmen followed her before opening fire at the corner of Joubert and Fox streets. This killing affects lawyers, the justice system, and public safety. It stands out now as part of a surge in brazen contract killings linked to organised crime and weak accountability.
Preliminary reports state the victim was a 35-year-old woman. She died near the CCMA offices in the Johannesburg CBD. Two unidentified gunmen followed her to the corner of Joubert and Fox streets. The attack happened on Monday.
Police have launched a hunt for the killers. These details come from early reports on the incident.
Experts point to deeper issues behind these attacks. Julian Rademeyer, a senior adviser at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, notes security problems at courts and judicial buildings. He says organised crime and political corruption benefit from such killings.
Rademeyer added that assassination has become commercialised. “It’s a very easy way out for those involved,” he said.
Mike Bolhuis, a specialist investigator, blames low accountability.
Only around 10% to 15% of murders are solved every year. It’s easy to get away with it.
This solve rate shows the gap in justice.
These killings highlight South Africa’s assassination crisis. Organised crime targets lawyers and others who threaten their interests. Weak accountability lets the problem grow.
The surge raises worries about public safety. It questions the justice system’s strength. Rademeyer and Bolhuis link it to patterns in contract killings.
Police continue their hunt for the gunmen. Questions remain about the rise in these attacks. For more, listen to Rademeyer and Bolhuis speak with 702’s Bongani Bingwa.
There’s been a commercialisation of assassination in recent years.
A topic timeline tracks related stories for the full picture.
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