South Africa| Local
The murder of key witnesses linked to major criminal investigations has renewed concerns about witness safety and the ability of South Africa’s justice system to protect those who come forward to testify.
Over the past two years, several high-profile witnesses and prospective State witnesses have been gunned down shortly before giving evidence in court or after agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors. While the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) maintains that witnesses formally admitted into the Witness Protection Programme remain protected, a number of victims were killed before entering the programme or while not under its protection.
The killings have fuelled fears that organised crime syndicates and criminal networks may be targeting individuals whose testimony could threaten major prosecutions.
A Growing Concern For The Justice System
Witnesses are often the backbone of criminal prosecutions. Without their evidence, many cases involving murder, organised crime, gang activity, drug trafficking and corruption become significantly harder to prosecute successfully.
Justice officials have publicly condemned attacks on witnesses, describing them as attacks on the rule of law itself. Following the killing of a witness outside the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court in January 2025, the Department of Justice warned that violence directed at court participants threatens the integrity of South Africa’s justice system.
While there is no official national figure showing how many State witnesses have been murdered in the past two years, several cases have attracted national attention because of their direct links to major criminal proceedings.
Christine Gumirah: Killed Before Entering Witness Protection
One of the most significant cases involved Christine Gumirah, who was preparing to become a State witness in a murder case.
On 23 May 2023, Gumirah was shot and killed outside the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town. According to evidence presented in court, she was scheduled to meet an investigating officer that day and was about to be placed into the Witness Protection Programme. Prosecutors described the killing as a targeted assassination.
The Western Cape High Court later convicted Mandisi Mofu, Lukhanye Meme and Vuminkosi Vumane for the murder. In August 2025, the court imposed life sentences and additional prison terms on the perpetrators.
The NPA said the convictions sent a strong message that attacks on witnesses would be met with severe punishment.
Christopher Carelse: Drug Case Witness Gunned Down
In June 2026, another high-profile witness was killed in Cape Town.
Christopher Carelse had recently turned State witness in a major drug-trafficking prosecution involving cocaine worth an estimated R18 million. The case centred on former bank manager Raed Cupido and allegations involving large-scale drug trafficking and illegal firearms.
According to police, Carelse was standing outside a property in Kensington when a gold-coloured vehicle returned to the area and armed suspects opened fire. He was shot multiple times and died at the scene. The attack occurred only two weeks after he agreed to cooperate with the State.
Police investigations into the murder remain ongoing. The NPA confirmed that Carelse had not been placed under witness protection at the time of his death.
Witness D: Assassination After Explosive Testimony
Another case that shocked the country was the murder of “Witness D”, later identified as Marius van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe had recently testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he made serious allegations relating to a murder cover-up involving law enforcement officials. His testimony attracted widespread national attention because of the senior figures implicated in the allegations.
On 5 December 2025, Van der Merwe was shot outside his home in Brakpan. SAPS later confirmed that evidence collected at the scene indicated an AK-47 rifle had been used in the assassination. National police leadership launched a manhunt for those responsible.
The killing intensified concerns about the risks faced by individuals who provide evidence in sensitive investigations involving organised crime and alleged corruption.
Witness Shot Outside Court
In January 2025, a 27-year-old witness due to testify in a murder trial was shot and killed just metres from the entrance of the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court.
The Department of Justice described the killing as a serious security breach and an attack on a person seeking to assist the courts in delivering justice. The incident prompted renewed calls for stronger security measures at court facilities across South Africa.
Witness Protection Under Scrutiny
These incidents have reignited debate about whether enough is being done to protect witnesses before they formally enter witness protection programmes.
The NPA has repeatedly emphasised that witnesses already admitted into the Witness Protection Programme remain highly secure. However, critics argue that some witnesses may face the greatest danger during the period between agreeing to cooperate and being formally enrolled in protection measures.
Security experts have also warned that organised criminal groups are becoming increasingly sophisticated and willing to target individuals who pose a threat to their operations. Cases linked to gang activity, drug trafficking and corruption are often viewed as particularly high-risk.
A Threat To Justice
For prosecutors and investigators, witness intimidation and witness murders represent more than isolated crimes.
Every witness who is silenced potentially weakens a criminal case and sends a message to others who may be considering coming forward. Legal experts argue that if witnesses fear for their lives, public confidence in the justice system can be severely damaged.
As police continue investigating these murders, pressure is mounting on authorities to strengthen witness protection mechanisms and ensure that those willing to testify against dangerous criminals are not left vulnerable.
For many South Africans, the growing list of witness killings raises a troubling question: can justice prevail if the people prepared to speak are being silenced before they reach the witness stand?
