3 SA Men Who Shot Zimbabwean Key Witness Outside Cape Town Court Found Guilty

3 SA Men Convicted Over Cold-Blooded Murder Of Zimbabwean Witness Outside Court

Three men have been found guilty of killing Zimbabwean state witness Christine Yolanda Gumirah outside the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court in Cape Town. The Western Cape High Court delivered the verdict convicting Mandisi Mofu, Lukhanye Meme, and Vuminkosi Vumane for the murder.

Gumirah was shot dead on 23 May 2023 moments after leaving the court building. At the time, she was due to meet an investigating officer to be placed in the witness protection programme.

Cold-Blooded Murder Outside Court

According to a media statement from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mofu was also convicted of attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition.

NPA regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said:

“This conviction sends a 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.”

The shooting took place in full view of the public, drawing comparisons to the killing of South African rapper AKA earlier that year.

Family Speaks Out On Safety Failures

Following the murder, Gumirah’s niece, Mollyn Matangambiri, told ZimLive that her aunt had raised concerns over her safety.

She said:

“I strongly feel the South African state failed her. She told police that she was getting threats from the people that killed her friend. They told her that if she continued testifying, they were going to kill her.”

Matangambiri revealed that her aunt had been planning to relocate to New Zealand to join her boyfriend before she was killed.

Background To The Case

Christine Gumirah became a witness after seeing her ex-roommate murdered by her boyfriend. In a chilling account, Matangambiri said that the killer had come to the house armed.

“The man, who was armed, told Christine that he would shoot her son if she didn’t take him to where her friend had moved.”

Gumirah complied to protect her son, but her friend was shot dead. She later agreed to testify in the murder trial, which tragically put her in the path of danger.

Police investigations after the killing linked the three convicted men to the murder through forensic evidence. A silver Nissan Tiida and several mobile phones were seized as part of the probe.

Gumirah’s body was later repatriated to Mhondoro Ngezi, Mashonaland West, for burial. She left behind a 13-year-old son, whose father was unemployed, prompting the family to appeal for assistance for his upbringing.