A female lawyer has been shot dead in the Johannesburg CBD after she was attacked while on her way to work on Monday morning.
The incident occurred at the corner of Fox and Joubert streets near Gandhi Square at around 9am.
Eyewitnesses told Newsnote that the woman was shot three times, including in the head. Her body was found lying a few metres from nearby offices before it was later removed from the scene.
Sources at the scene claim the lawyer had been representing a mining company in a dispute before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) since last year.
One onlooker alleged that the suspect may have been connected to the labour dispute.
“It’s a short man who was working in the mine who shot her,” the witness said. “She has been at the CCMA since last year.”
A visibly shaken cleaner who witnessed the shooting said the lawyer was gunned down moments after greeting her.
“She had just greeted me. When I looked at her to respond, she was shot right in front of me,” she said.
“I’m still traumatised. My bosses should let me go home because it’s hard to work after what I have seen.”
The cleaner added that she often saw the deceased walking to work in the area.
Another onlooker said if the claims circulating at the scene were true, the killing was deeply disturbing.
“It’s sad to see a life lost like that. A human life is very important, but companies sometimes use their financial muscle to play with people’s livelihoods,” the witness said.
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that no arrests have been made.
“Police have launched an investigation following a fatal shooting incident at the corner of Fox and Joubert streets in the Johannesburg CBD on Monday,” Sibeko said.
“Police received a complaint about a shooting, and upon arrival at the scene, officers found the body of a 35-year-old woman who had sustained gunshot wounds. She was declared dead at the scene.”
Preliminary reports indicate that the victim was allegedly followed by two unknown suspects who opened fire on her before fleeing the scene on foot.
“The motive for the attack will form part of the investigation. No arrests have been made at this stage,” Sibeko added.
Police have opened a murder case and are appealing to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact their nearest police station or call the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111.
The scene remained cordoned off with police tape throughout the morning as investigators combed the area for evidence.
