By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Murray and his 25-year-old son Thomas were shot in an apparent assassination attempt. Photo: Twitter/@MightiJamie.
Well-known insolvency practitioner Cloete Murray died on Sunday morning after succumbing to injuries sustained in a shooting near Midrand.
Murray, alongside his son Thomas Murray, was shot by unknown gunmen on Saturday while travelling on the N1.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello confirmed that Cloete had succumbed to his injuries after being in a critical condition in hospital.
“The second victim on yesterday’s shooting at Midrand unfortunately succumbed to his injuries earlier this morning. The police will now be investigating two counts of murder, “Sello said.
It reported that on 18 March 2023, two men (reportedly a father and son) were travelling together when their vehicle was shot at by unknown suspects.
The circumstances that led to the incident are unknown at this stage. Police request anyone who may have information that can assist with investigations to contact the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111 or anonymously report tip-offs on MySaps application which can be downloaded on any smartphone,” Sello said.
In addition to Bosasa, Cloete was the business rescue practitioner for one of the Gupta family companies, Shiva Uranium, including Comair.
Cloete was appointed as liquidator for state contractor Bosasa by the court whose executives were implicated in state capture allegations at the State Capture inquiry.
Thomas was a legal practitioner at his father’s firm, Sechaba Trust, at the time of the shooting.
The fatal shooting is likely to sow panic in the industry, with some calling it a targeted assassination.
The South African Restructuring and Insolvency Practitioner’s Association (SARIPA) says law enforcement needs to do everything in its power to find and prosecute those responsible for the murder of Cloete and Thomas Murray.
SARIPA says it condemns the senseless killing.
“We strongly condemn the shocking, senseless, and brutal attack on Cloete and Thomas and urge the Government to ensure that no stone is left unturned in finding and convicting all those persons responsible for this brutality. An example must be set such that this never occurs again, to enable our members to act and discharge their duties in a professional manner”.
“The SARIPA board and its members are deeply saddened, concerned, and devastated by this news”.
Cloete was a member of SARIPA for 27 years and served as a board member for three years.