A respected insolvency lawyer, Bouwer van Niekerk, has been assassinated in Johannesburg, South Africa, just days after receiving chilling threats to step down from a high-profile Ponzi scheme case.
Van Niekerk, 43, was fatally shot inside the boardroom of Smit Sew Attorneys and Conveyancers in Saxonwold on the morning of Friday, September 5, 2025. According to police reports, the killers posed as prospective clients to gain access to his office before opening fire and fleeing the scene.
A Targeted Assassination
Gauteng police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that no items were stolen, strongly suggesting the killing was a deliberate hit. Authorities have since launched a manhunt for four suspects believed to be involved.
“This brazen assassination has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s legal community,” Nevhuhulwi said, adding that investigations are ongoing to establish the motive.
Van Niekerk was widely known for handling high-profile cases, including the business rescue of Gupta-linked companies and litigation involving an alleged multi-billion rand Ponzi scheme.
Days before his death, he reportedly received a threatening message warning him to resign from the Ponzi scheme case “or face dire consequences.” His parents revealed to News24 that he had refused to back down, saying he was driven by a steadfast commitment to fighting corruption.
Legal Community in Shock
The South African Restructuring and Insolvency Practitioners Association (SARIPA) expressed outrage at the murder. Chairperson Jo Mitchell-Marais stated:
“Our members must work without fear or violence. This is an assault on the judicial system itself.”
Echoing the sentiment, Ian Cameron, chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on police, warned:
“When lawyers and investigators are targeted, it is likely justice itself that is being attacked.”
Pattern of Violence Against Legal Professionals
Van Niekerk had previously voiced concerns over the killings of whistleblower Babita Deokaran and fellow insolvency practitioners Cloete and Thomas Murray, warning that their murders sent a “terrifying message” to the legal profession.
In 2023, Cloete Murray, a leading insolvency practitioner central to investigations into state capture and Gupta-linked companies, and his son Thomas Murray were assassinated in Pretoria. Thomas died instantly, while Cloete succumbed to his injuries later.
Van Niekerk’s murder now reinforces fears that legal professionals challenging powerful criminal networks are being systematically silenced.
Growing Calls for Action
His assassination has intensified calls for the government and security forces to implement stronger protections for lawyers, investigators, and whistleblowers confronting corruption.
The legal community continues to mourn the loss of a courageous professional who stood firm against intimidation, while growing fears linger that justice in South Africa is under increasing threat.
