KEY POINTS
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Prosecutor Elona Sombulula, 30, was murdered in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape, amid a surge in attacks on legal professionals handling high-risk cases.
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The NPA and SAPS are collaborating on the investigation, with no motive yet confirmed, though links to gang-related prosecutions are suspected.
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The killing highlights systemic risks in South Africa’s justice system, with rural prosecutors facing heightened threats and inadequate protection measures.
The fatal shooting of 30-year-old prosecutor Elona Sombulula in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape, has reignited concerns over the safety of legal professionals in South Africa.
Sombulula, who joined the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) through its aspirant prosecutor program in 2022, was gunned down on April 29, 2025, while acting as a Regional Court prosecutor.
The NPA condemned the murder as “an attack on the rule of law and the foundations of our democracy,” with spokesperson Luxolo Tyali calling it a “devastating blow to justice.”
Sombulula’s death marks the fourth killing of a prosecutor in South Africa since 2023, according to data from the Legal Resources Centre. Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Barry Madolo described him as “a rising star whose dedication to justice inspired colleagues.” Police are investigating the motive, though no arrests have been made.
Local residents reported hearing multiple gunshots near the Ngcobo Magistrate’s Court, where Sombulula had been prosecuting cases involving gang activity and organized crime.
Surge in attacks on legal officials exposes systemic vulnerabilities
According to IOL, the assassination underscores escalating risks for justice sector workers in high-crime regions. A 2024 report by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) noted a 40% increase in threats against prosecutors and magistrates in rural areas over the past three years, linked to their roles in sensitive cases.
Ngcobo, part of the Chris Hani District, recorded a 22% spike in murders in 2024, with gangs and taxi violence destabilizing the region.
NPA head Shamila Batohi emphasized, “We cannot allow fear to paralyze our pursuit of justice. Elona’s work will continue through our resolve.” Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has deployed a specialized task force to probe the killing, amid calls from the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL) for witness protection programs to shield legal personnel.
Sombulula’s caseload included prosecutions against members of the “Ngcobo Seven,” a syndicate accused of orchestrating cash-in-transit heists and extortion rackets. Colleagues speculate his murder could be retaliation, though SAPS has not confirmed this. “Prosecutors here work under constant threat. Many live in safe houses, but Elona chose to stay in his community,” said a fellow prosecutor, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns.
The NPA plans to honor Sombulula with a memorial service next week, while civil society groups demand urgent government action. “When prosecutors are targeted, the message is clear: crime syndicates believe they can outgun the state,” warned Khaya Sithole of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC).
