Law Society of South Africa condemns assassination of attorney Bouwer van Niekerk
The Law Society of South Africa has condemned the murder of insolvency lawyer, Bouwer van Niekerk, who was shot dead on Friday at his office in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.
Image: Ian Cameron / X
The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has condemned the assassination of Bouwer van Niekerk, a respected insolvency attorney who was shot and killed at his Saxonwold, Gauteng firm last Friday.
According to police, van Niekerk was shot dead by four suspects while he was in the boardroom of the office.
The gunmen fled the scene and the police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111 or provide anonymous tip-offs on the MySAPS app.
The LSSA, in a statement on Monday, condemned the “targeted and brutal attack”.
The organisation said violence against legal practitioners is an assault on the rule of law, public confidence in the justice system, and the constitutional promise that disputes will be resolved peacefully through lawful processes.
The LSSA said van Niekerk was engaged in contentious commercial and insolvency matters at the time of his death, including proceedings linked to business rescue litigation.
“While the circumstances of this killing remain under investigation, the LSSA notes with grave concern the pattern of threats and attacks on legal professionals who are tasked with confronting corruption, complex commercial disputes, and high-profile litigation,” the statement said.
LSSA President Nkosana Mvundlela said: “Mr van Niekerk’s murder is not only a tragedy for his loved ones. It is a direct attack on the legal system. When lawyers can be lured to a meeting and killed at their place of work, every South African should be alarmed.
“We call on law enforcement to act with urgency, prioritise the investigation, arrest those responsible, and dismantle any criminal networks behind this crime. The profession must be able to do its work without fear or intimidation.”