Johannesburg – Prominent insolvency lawyer Bouwer van Niekerk was shot dead in Johannesburg on Friday, in a killing that has raised alarm over the safety of legal professionals confronting corruption and organised crime.
Police confirmed the fatal shooting but said details surrounding the incident remain under investigation. No arrests have been made.
Van Niekerk, a respected figure in the legal community, had previously warned that the murders of fellow lawyers Cloete and Thomas Murray had sent a “terrifying message” to the profession.
His own assassination, observers say, gives chilling weight to those concerns.
His parents told News24 that Van Niekerk refused to abandon high-profile cases, despite growing risks, and strongly believed that lawyers must not allow intimidation to derail the fight against corruption.
The parents of murdered insolvency lawyer Bouwer van Niekerk say their son refused to abandon high-profile cases, despite the risks, and believed lawyers must not be intimidated in the fight against corruption.
— News24 🇿🇦 (@News24) September 6, 2025
Reports noted that Van Niekerk had written about the dangers faced by lawyers following the killings of Cloete and Murray.
Chairperson of the portfolio committee on police Ian Cameron Ian Cameron echoed this sentiment, warning that “when lawyers and investigators are targeted, it is not just individuals who are silenced, it is likely justice itself that is being attacked.”
Thread: The murder of Bouwer van Niekerk raises disturbing echoes of earlier assassinations of lawyers and investigators who challenged corruption and organised crime. The killings of Cloete and Thomas Murray remain the most brutal example. IC
1/ Bouwer van Niekerk, a respected… pic.twitter.com/jh4DtDWAy0
— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) September 5, 2025
Van Niekerk’s death has been linked in public discourse to a disturbing trend of assassinations of professionals tackling corruption. The murders of Cloete and Thomas Murray remain unresolved, adding to mounting frustration that accountability is stalling while organised crime networks grow bolder.
“South Africa cannot accept a climate where organised crime dictates who lives and who dies while accountability stalls,” Cameron added.
Insolvency lawyer Bouwer van Niekerk has been gunned down in Johannesburg earlier today.
He warned that the killings of Cloete and Thomas Murray had sent a “terrifying message” to the legal profession. His own assassination makes that warning a reality.
When lawyers and… pic.twitter.com/3cYEwaIDOV
— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) September 5, 2025
Civil society groups and legal organisations are now calling on authorities to act decisively to protect professionals in the justice system.
Police have appealed to anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
Police are searching for four suspects, after an attorney was shot dead at his practice in Saxonwold, Johannesburg yesterday.
It’s alleged the suspects went to Bouwer van Niekerk’s office, disguised as clients, who had booked an appointment.
The 43 -year-old attorney was… pic.twitter.com/hsXLgovo8H
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) September 6, 2025
The murder of insolvency lawyer Bouwer van Niekerk is a chilling reminder of the risks faced by those who challenge corruption and organised crime.
Van Niekerk himself warned that the assassinations of Cloete and Thomas Murray had sent a “terrifying message” to the legal… pic.twitter.com/g619GK9qWi
— Vehicle Trackers (@VehicleTracker8) September 6, 2025
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@IanCameron23
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
