COURT CONVICTS THREE MEN FOR WOULD BE STATE WITNESS’ MURDER

14 AUGUST 2025

COURT CONVICTS THREE MEN FOR WOULD BE STATE WITNESS’ MURDER

Cape Town, South Africa, Efforts to deter criminals from attacking state witnesses received a much-needed boost as the High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division convicted Mandisi Mofu, Lukhanye Meme and Vuminkosi Vumane for the murder of Christine Gumirah outside Wynberg Magistrates Court. Mofu was also convicted of attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. Gumirah was executed as she left the Wynberg Magistrates' Court building on the morning of 23 May 2023. At the time, she was an accused but was about to become a state witness in a murder case and was to meet with the investigating officer in the case to be put in the witness protection programme.

State Adv Chandre Smith proved that on the morning of 23 May 2023, Mofu texted taxi driver, Andile Nqalathi, requesting to be dropped off at the Wynberg Magistrates Court. Nqalathi, who became a Section 204 witness in the case, testified that Meme and Vumane joined Mofu in the vehicle. They drove to Wynberg, and he was instructed to drop off Meme and Vumane outside the court building. He was then instructed to park the vehicle, and he stayed in the vehicle with Mofu. Mofu instructed him to change the registration plates of the silver sedan he was driving. He further testified that Mofu was on the phone all the time.

Adv Smith also led six other witnesses, and their evidence proved that Meme and Vumane were in the same courtroom with the deceased, monitoring her movements. Meme was viewed through video footage, leaving the court building and giving a sign. Soon after Mofu exited the vehicle, he walked towards Gumirah, who was joined by two other women and shot her. Nqalathi testified that he heard two shots, and Mofu walked back into the vehicle and instructed him to drive away from the area. He enquired about the other two men whom he dropped off outside the court, but was instructed to drive away.

Investigating officer, Warrant Officer Shaun Fortuin, testified that he was on his way to court to collect Gumirah, who was going to be placed into witness protection. He attended the crime scene in Church Street, Wynberg, and found Gumirah lying on the ground with a single gunshot wound. The vehicle in which Mofu drove could be seen from video footage, and police were able to track its movements using CCTV cameras. It was traced and stopped during an operation on 01 June 2023. The driver was taken in for questioning, and he admitted to being in Wynberg on the day of the shooting. He confirmed Mofu as the shooter who followed the three women and shot the deceased after he was shown the footage.

He later showed the police where Mofu stayed, and all three were arrested at the Lower Crossroads property. Police confiscated Mofu’s wet clothing, which matched the clothing he wore as seen on the CCTV footage. Police also confiscated their cellphones, but the accused refused to permit their data to be analysed. They gave their cellphone numbers, which the police used to map their movements.

Meme and Vumane confirmed that they were at the court to watch and support a neighbour who was being sentenced. The investigating Officer obtained the court roll of the day, which did not show the neighbour’s name, who was supposed to be sentenced on the day. Mofu came up with an alibi and called two witnesses, whom the court declared as very poor witnesses. On the attempted murder charge, while at the crime scene, a woman with a shattered back arrived driving an SUV and informed police that she had heard a loud bang and realised afterwards that her back window was damaged. Police booked her vehicle in, and a ballistic expert examined it and retrieved a bullet from the vehicle.

The court ruled that the State had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted Mofu on charges of murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. It convicted Meme and Vumane as accomplices of Mofu in the murder. The case has been postponed until Monday for sentencing proceedings.

Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Nicolette Bell applauded the investigating and prosecution team for their efforts in putting together a case which led to the conviction of the accused. Adv Bell added that this conviction sends a very clear message that anyone who targets state witnesses will face the same consequences, as the State will use all its resources to ensure that those who engage in such crimes are dealt with harshly by our courts.

Issued by:

Eric Ntabazalila

National Prosecuting Authority

Regional Communications Manager – Western Cape

Tel: (021) 487 7308

Mobile: 073 062 1222