Prosecutors Under Fire: Justice System Faces Threat

Organized Crime Accusations Shadow Murders of Legal Officials

An organization dedicated to legal fairness has voiced grave concerns following the brutal killing of regional court prosecutor **Tracy Brown**. The prosecutor was fatally shot outside her Gqeberha residence last week, an incident witnessed by her child and partner.

Escalating Violence Against Justice Stakeholders

This tragedy mirrors the April murder of **Elona Sombulula**, another prosecutor in the Eastern Cape, who was killed in Ngcobo. Freedom Under Law (FUL) highlights these incidents as direct assaults on the rule of law, stressing that for the justice system to function, legal professionals must operate without fear of reprisal.

FUL executive officer **Judith February** cited a pattern of violence, recalling the assassinations of Bosasa liquidators **Thomas** and **Cloete Murray**, anti-gang unit officer **Charl Kinnear**, Gauteng health whistleblower **Babita Deokaran**, and forensic investigator **Zenzele Sithole**. The attempted murder of advocate **Coreth Naude** was also mentioned.

“Apart from causing unspeakable pain to the families of the victims, the killings raise fundamental concerns that those who work to hold criminals to account are themselves at risk of assassination.”

—Judith February, FUL executive officer

These killings, **February** stated, indicate murder is being employed to obstruct and corrupt legal proceedings, creating an “untenable” situation. The violence unfolds amidst serious allegations of organized crime reaching high government echelons, leading to the suspension of Police Minister **Senzo Mchunu** and the establishment of the Madlanga commission of inquiry.

Recent data indicates a significant increase in threats against public officials. A 2023 report by the **International Centre for Police Studies** found that over 60% of countries surveyed had seen a rise in intimidation or violence targeting judicial officers, underscoring the global challenge FUL addresses.

Calls for Swift Justice and Societal Accountability

FUL, echoing sentiments from the Law Society of South Africa, urges law enforcement agencies to swiftly apprehend those responsible for these killings. The organization stressed that the prevalent impunity surrounding such acts raises disturbing questions about the state of society and its capacity to maintain its constitutional framework.

The group insists that such criminal behavior cannot be met with mere condemnatory statements from authorities.