The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has strongly denounced the fatal shooting of a Johannesburg-based attorney, warning that such acts of violence strike at the heart of South Africa’s justice system.
Chinette Gallichan, a 35-year-old lawyer from Krugersdorp, was gunned down on Monday morning outside the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) offices at the corner of Fox and Joubert streets in Johannesburg’s CBD.
According to reports, Gallichan, who was part of Sibanye-Stillwater’s legal team, had arrived for a labour-related matter when the attack occurred at around 9am. Witnesses say she had just stepped out of her vehicle when an assailant approached and opened fire at close range.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has since launched an investigation into the killing. No arrests have been made at this stage.
Kubayi said the incident underscores the urgent need to reject violence as a means of resolving disputes, stressing that the justice system exists to provide lawful and structured mechanisms for conflict resolution.
“Violence can never be accepted as a means of resolving disputes. We urge all individuals and parties to reject violence and place their trust in legal processes and institutions,” she said.
She further warned that attacks targeting members of the legal profession threaten the rule of law and the country’s constitutional democracy.
“An attack of this nature undermines the rule of law and threatens the very foundation of our constitutional democracy. Legal practitioners play a critical role in ensuring access to justice, and their safety must be safeguarded at all times,” Kubayi added.
The minister called on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to bring those responsible to justice, in line with due process.
Political leaders have also weighed in on the killing, with ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba urging authorities to prioritise the case.
“We really hope that our criminal justice system is going to treat this case with the urgency and seriousness it deserves,” Mashaba said.
Kubayi extended her condolences to Gallichan’s family, colleagues, and the broader legal fraternity, describing the killing as a tragic loss that has sent shockwaves through the profession.
The motive for the attack remains unclear, though it is understood the victim had been involved in a labour dispute matter at the time of her death.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star