MURDERERS OF WOULD-BE STATE WITNESS HANDED HEAVY SENTENCES

21 AUGUST 2025

MURDERERS OF WOULD-BE STATE WITNESS HANDED HEAVY SENTENCES

Cape Town, South Africa, The High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division has sentenced the three murderers of Christine Gumirah, who was assassinated outside the Wynberg Magistrates Court, to life imprisonment and 15 years direct imprisonment. Last Thursday, the court convicted Mandisi Mofu, Lukhanye Meme and Vuminkosi Vumane for the murder of Gumirah, who was going to be a Section 204 witness to a murder case and was about to be entered into the witness protection programme. Mofu shot Gumirah as she left the court building, accompanied by two other women. He was also convicted of attempted murder of Thandi Viljoen after a second bullet meant for the deceased shattered her vehicle’s rear window, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.

The court sentenced him to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder, 12 years direct imprisonment for the attempted murder and 8 years direct imprisonment for the charges of illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently and declared him unfit to possess a firearm. Meme and Vumane, who were convicted as Mofu’s accomplices in the murder, were each sentenced to 15 years' direct imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.

During the trial, State Adv Chandre Smit proved that 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.

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 Mofu 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.

That morning, Gumirah was about to become a state witness and was to meet the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Shaun Fortuin, to be put in the witness protection programme. Fortuin testified that he was on his way to court to collect Gumirah and found her 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 stopped during an operation on 01 June 2023, and the driver was taken in for questioning. 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. He later showed the police where Mofu stayed, and all three were accused at a Lower Crossroads property.

Adv Smit argued in aggravation of sentence that witnesses and victims of crimes are important to bring about justice and a safe environment for all, and give meaning and effect to our criminal justice system. The Wynberg Magistrates Court is one of the Western Cape’s biggest court buildings, which houses five floors, consisting of 7 district courts, 7 regional courts, a high court room, and a civil and traffic court. The acts of the accused were a blatant disregard for the functioning of the legal system. It instilled fear in witnesses as they could be killed outside the court building steps, and the assailants could just drive off. The deceased was a 31-year-old Zimbabwean who moved to South Africa for a better life. Her family relocated to another province due to fear of what might happen to them. This is the extent of how fear was instilled in the family, and the events of 25 May 2023 forever changed their lives. Her friends who accompanied her on the day have refused to have any contact with the police, fearing that being witnesses may lead to them being killed like Gumirah.

Viljoen’s attempted murder has changed her life forever. She does not travel or move around without looking over her shoulder. Any loud sound still triggers her anxiety to this day. The incident changed her way of living, of doing normal day-to-day routines. She recalls how she just went to pick up her domestic worker and could have lost her life from a stray bullet. Every move and route she takes is no longer day-to-day but a constant reminder of what could have been. Her Constitutional rights to freedom and security have been taken away forever since 25 May 2023.

Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Nicolette Bell welcomed the sentence, saying the courts have sent a very clear message that anyone who targets state witnesses will face similar 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