A shocking murder outside the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg has cast a grim shadow over the South African justice system.
Ashwin Mouwers, a key witness in an Eldorado Park murder case dating back to 2021, was shot and killed on Tuesday morning, 21 January, while waiting to give evidence.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the brutal killing, stating: “We can confirm that the person that was shot and killed this morning is a witness in a case of murder, of Eldorado Park, that took place in 2021.” He spoke to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika outside the court, which was temporarily closed following the incident.
According to Masondo, Mouwers and another witness were standing outside the court when two armed suspects approached and opened fire without warning. Masondo detailed the attack: “The case was set for trial today. So, information that we got is that two witnesses in this case were standing outside the court when they were accosted by two armed suspects, armed men who started shooting at them without saying a word.”
He further explained that Mouwers, while attempting to escape the gunfire, tripped and fell, leaving him vulnerable to a close-range execution. "The two suspects approached Mouwers, shooting him multiple times at close range before fleeing the scene," Masondo said.
The police have launched a manhunt for the two suspects and opened a murder investigation. Significantly, Masondo revealed that the accused in the 2021 murder case is now a person of interest in Mouwers' killing: "The accused against whom Mouwers was scheduled to testify is being investigated by police as part of the murder probe," he stated.
As part of the investigation, the accused's cellphone has been seized. "Since there is a chance that the accused and the two suspects who killed Ashwin communicated, we are currently looking into him," Masondo added. This chilling development raises serious concerns about witness protection and the safety of those willing to cooperate with law enforcement.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker described the attack: “It is believed that the driver and his two passengers had just left the local court and were about to enter the main road when they were cornered by the suspects who were travelling in two vehicles. The suspects opened fire on the vehicle, killing all three occupants instantly, before fleeing the scene.”
Naicker also stated that the victims were allegedly robbed of their firearms. The similarities between the Mtwalume and Lenasia incidents highlight a disturbing trend of violence targeting witnesses, raising urgent questions about the effectiveness of witness protection programmes and the need for enhanced security measures around court premises.
The brazen nature of these attacks underscores the significant challenges faced by the South African justice system in protecting witnesses and ensuring the safety of those who dare to testify against criminals.
