Julius Mkhwanazi says hit on his lawyer outside Booysen court has shaken his family
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) acting chief Julius Mkhwanazi has told Parliament that his attorney was one of the victims in the Booysens Magistrate’s Court shooting that left two people dead on Wednesday.
Testifying before the ad hoc committee on Thursday, Mkhwanazi said the attack had left him fearing for his life and had disturbed his family.
“My family, my kids — this thing has disturbed them,” he said. “My attorney, who was assisting me with the Madlanga Commission and other matters, was shot the day before while leaving court. I can’t even move out of the house. I’m being seen as the killer police.”
The shooting occurred outside Booysens Court in Johannesburg.
According to police, three gunmen wearing caps opened fire on a group as they exited the court. Two people died at the scene, and three were injured — including Mkhwanazi’s attorney, who was hospitalised.
Authorities have launched an investigation, but the motive remains unclear. There are unconfirmed reports that the attorney may have been targeted due to a consultation involving an alleged gangster earlier that day.
The shooting occurred amid heightened tensions following the killing of Marius van der Merwe—known as “Witness D”— on 5 December 2025. Van der Merwe had testified before the Madlanga Commission, alleging that senior EMPD officials ordered him to dispose of a murder victim’s body. He was reportedly planning to expose alleged state involvement in illegal mining hours before he was shot.
Mkhwanazi denied knowing Van der Merwe: “I do not know Witness D, and he does not know me.” He confirmed visiting the crime scene on the morning of Van der Merwe’s death but denied any wrongdoing.
In his testimony, Mkhwanazi also rejected allegations that he fitted blue lights to vehicles belonging to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is reportedly under investigation.
The Booysens court shooting has raised fresh concerns about the safety of legal professionals and witnesses involved in sensitive criminal cases.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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