Three guilty of brazen murder of witness outside Wynberg Magistrate’s Court

THREE men have been convicted for the murder of a woman who was due to enter the witness protection programme on the day she was shot outside the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.

NPA regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said Mandisi Mofu was convicted for the murder of 26-year-old Christine Gumirah, who had been an accused in a separate murder case but was to testify as a State witness.

He was also found guilty of attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition.

His co-accused, Lukhanyo Meme and Vuminkosi Vumane, were convicted as accomplices to the murder. The case was postponed to Monday for sentencing proceedings.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had taken over the case due to its high-profile nature.

Mofu, 24, Meme, 32, and Vumane, 37, appeared in the Western Cape High Court for the murder of Gumirah and the attempted murder of Thandi Viljoen.

The three were arrested after CCTV footage of the shooting surfaced online.

The fatal shooting took place on May 25, 2023, shortly after Gumirah had appeared in court alongside alleged mass killer Lundi Zweni, Zinhle Mazibuko, and another female accused in a separate murder case. Police confirmed that Gumirah had been out on bail at the time.

SAPS spokesperson FC van Wyk said: “On July 12, 2018, four suspects were arrested for the murder, which took place the previous day. The accused, who are currently on the court roll, are two women aged between 27 and 41, and a man aged 23. A 26-year-old woman was shot and fatally wounded on May 25 in Wynberg. On the day in question, the now-deceased attended court as an accused in the murder case.”

According to police, Gumirah was walking with two other people when a shooter approached from behind and fired two shots at her head. Viljoen was injured in the attack.

In an article by ZimLive.com, Gumirah had been living with a woman who was allegedly having an affair with her boss.

When the boss’s wife discovered the affair, she allegedly hired hitmen.

They went to Gumirah’s home, but found her friend had moved out. Gumirah was reportedly forced to reveal her friend’s location, where the friend was then shot and killed.

Gumirah was subsequently arrested in connection with that murder but was later released on bail. She was expected to testify for the State before she was killed.

Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the investigation involved several coordinated operations.

“The investigation led the integrated investigation team to various locations within the Cape Metropole, where they conducted tracing operations. They arrested four suspects after they were positively linked to the murder through a thorough investigation and forensic evidence. Police also seized a silver Nissan Tiida as well as cellular phones.”

The men were taken into custody about a week after the shooting and charged with murder, attempted murder, and firearms offences.

Cape Times