The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is deeply concerned about the alarming increase in murders and attacks on legal practitioners in Gauteng over the past twelve months.
Several attorneys have been shot dead in targeted attacks, while others were fortunate to survive. The latest incident claimed the life of the attorney Chinette Gallichan.
Virtually no-one has been arrested or prosecuted in connection with any of these incidents, which feeds the fear of a growing culture of impunity.
These murders are most probably not random. Legal practitioners are often involved in sensitive cases such as corruption, insolvencies, labour disputes, tender disputes and organised crime.
Legal professionals are usually targeted with the aim of stopping investigations, intimidating witnesses and protecting financial or criminal interests.
This trend poses a serious danger to the rule of law. The entire legal process is undermined when attorneys and legal representatives are not safe. It could result in an unwillingness to take on high-risk cases, delayed justice and an environment in which organised crime flourishes.
Ultimately, this affects every citizen, investor and business that relies on a functional legal system.
The Freedom Front Plus believes urgent intervention is warranted and, therefore, proposes that:
• specialised investigation teams be established for targeted murders;
• crime intelligence be bolstered to expose organised crime;
• priority protection should possibly be provided to legal practitioners involved in high-risk cases; and
• prosecution should be expedited followed by severe sentencing.
The Freedom Front Plus will pursue the matter in the Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety, and pressure the provincial government to ensure accountability and offer protection to residents practising law.
The Freedom Front Plus will not allow violence and intimidation to undermine the rule of law, and expresses its condolences to the family and friends of Ms Gallichan, the fifth attorney fatally wounded in Gauteng in the past 12 months.
