Cloete Murray. (Photo: Yusuf Abramjee/Twitter)
The murders of Cloete Murray and his son pose a threat to the rule of law and South Africa’s constitutional democracy and the investigation must be completed thoroughly and quickly.
Former judge Johann Kriegler said Freedom Under Law (FUL) noted with deep concern the murder of Murray and his son Thomas on 19 March.
Murray was a well-known insolvency practitioner who acted as the liquidator of Bosasa, a company involved in corrupt activities and prominently named in allegations of state capture during the Zondo Commission of Inquiry. Thomas was a director in his father’s firm, Sechaba Trust. Murray was also liquidator or trustee in other matters relating to statehood.
“Murray’s involvement in such high-profile, politically-connected cases raises serious concerns about the possibility that the killing was an assassination related to cases investigated by him.
“These events raise fundamental concerns that those who threaten to expose corruption are themselves at risk of being killed. It shows that murder is used as a tool to delay and pervert the course of justice.”
Meanwhile, Corruption Watch and Transparency International called on law enforcement agencies for a thorough and speedy investigation into the murder of the Murrays.
Corruption Watch and Transparency International said the investigation must begin without delay so that the perpetrators can be identified, their motives can be understood and that all those involved can be brought to justice.
Thomas Murray, Cloete’s son, was pronounced dead on Saturday. (Photo: LinkedIn)
Karam Singh, executive director of Corruption Watch, said South Africa was facing a rule of law crisis as public confidence in the country’s law enforcement capabilities, not to mention the political will to prosecute criminals, and holding the corrupt accountable has sunk to an all-time low.
“As the most recent example, the brutal murder of the Murrays sends a chilling and intimidating message to anyone seeking to end impunity for corruption and crime. This should represent a turnaround for our country.
“The authorities must act now to urgently investigate this matter and take steps to strengthen crime-fighting tools and institutions. Failure to investigate this murder as a matter of the highest priority will have a devastating impact on the fight to curb violence and corruption.”
The Murrays were shot in their car on the N1 in Midrand on Saturday afternoon. Thomas died at the scene before his father succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Sandton.
Forensics for Justice earlier offered a reward of R1 million for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the murderers.
