KEY POINTS
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North West police offer R150,000 for information on the 2023 murder of attorney Zanele Nkosi, a BLA chairperson killed in a targeted shooting outside her Rustenburg office.
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The legal community links her death to rising threats against lawyers, with a 30% increase in intimidation cases tied to anti-corruption and civil rights work since 2022.
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Authorities and advocacy groups emphasize the need for public cooperation to address South Africa’s low conviction rate for violent crimes, particularly unsolved assassinations.
North West police have announced a R150,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killers of Zanele Precious Nkosi, a respected Rustenburg attorney and chairperson of the Black Lawyers Association (BLA), who was gunned down in a brazen attack two years ago.
Nkosi, 41, was shot multiple times in the head and upper body as she exited her workplace in her black Mercedes-Benz on May 21, 2023. Despite extensive investigations, her assailants remain at large, sparking outrage over rising violence against legal professionals in South Africa.
Colonel Adéle Myburgh, North West police spokesperson, reiterated the urgency of public cooperation: “The victim was leaving her workplace in her vehicle, a black Mercedes Benz, when the incident occurred. She sustained numerous gunshot wounds on her upper body and head. We urge anyone with information to come forward.” Nkosi’s murder shocked the legal fraternity, as she was known for her expertise in civil and municipal litigation, often representing marginalized communities in high-profile cases.
Legal community demands justice
Sowetanlive reports that the motive for Nkosi’s killing remains unclear, though speculation persists about her work challenging corruption in local governance.
Eunice Masipa, president of the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA), condemned the attack, stating: “We have noted the cowardly act that has robbed Nkosi’s family, colleagues, and the country of a fearless woman of strength, committed to making South Africa a better, just, and equitable country.” Her sentiments echo growing concerns over the safety of legal practitioners, with the LSSA reporting a 30% rise in threats against lawyers handling politically sensitive cases since 2022.
Nkosi’s death underscores a broader crisis of unsolved violent crimes in South Africa. According to the South African Police Service’s 2024/25 crime statistics, only 15% of murder cases result in convictions nationwide, with organized crime and hit-style killings dominating headlines.
The BLA has since launched a legal defense fund to protect members handling high-risk cases, while advocacy groups like Save Our Lawyers campaign for enhanced security measures for practitioners.
Authorities have urged witnesses to contact Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Murunwa at 082 772 5991 or use the anonymous MySAPS App. Meanwhile, Nkosi’s family remains hopeful for closure. “Zanele fought for justice every day. We pray her own killers face the same system she believed in,” said her sister, Thandi Nkosi, during a recent memorial event.
