By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi released a statement on Sunday expressing “deep sadness” at what she called the “tragic killing” of Bouwer van Niekerk.
Van Niekerk was gunned down in what may be a direct response to his work as the attorney for the business rescue of NTC Global Trade Fund, an alleged Ponzi scheme.
More details emerged later on Friday when business rescue practitioner (BRP) Kurt Knoop, who worked with Van Niekerk on several cases – including the rescue of Optimum Coal and several Gupta-linked companies – advised that he had received threats to his life and was resigning as BRP of NTC Global Trade.
In May 2024, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority issued a warning urging caution when dealing with NTC and Arbitrawallet, over suspicions they were offering unregistered financial services. In March 2025, the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) failed to secure a preservation order against NTC Capital, NTC Global Trade Fund, and 27 other respondents, as the prosecutor had been unable to prove numerous claims, including allegations that it was a Ponzi scheme.
NTC ended up in business rescue, with the BRPs approaching the Johannesburg High Court in August 2025 to secure an order compelling NTC’s sole director Edwin Letopa to cooperate with them and provide information on the company’s business affairs.
The killing of Van Niekerk has sparked fear and outrage within the insolvency and business rescue professions, coming in the wake of several other high-profile murders of BRPs and accountants.
Kubayi said she appreciated the investigation launched into the brutal assassination of Van Niekerk, calling for the perpetrators to be dealt with swiftly.
“We can quibble about motives and wait for dockets to inch forward. Or, we can call this what it is: a campaign to make the price of accountability unbearable, said Kubayi. “
This comes shortly after the department reported the fatal shooting of a male accused outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town on the same day. The man, who was due to appear on assault charges, was shot before his court appearance. The minister strongly condemns these senseless acts of violence, particularly against members of the legal profession and urges anyone with any information to come forward to assist the police in bringing the perpetrators to justice.”
Kubayi said the arrest of those behind both killings would restore faith in the country’s laws and law enforcement officers.
While condemning the violent acts, the minister has called for anyone with information to come forward and assist police in their investigation.
The South African Restructuring and Insolvency Practitioners Association (Saripa) has also expressed outrage at the latest killing. In a statement, the organisation said: “Bouwer van Niekerk was a respected legal professional who worked on complex, high-profile, and often incriminating matters.
His untimely death represents a devastating loss to the legal, insolvency, and restructuring community.
“We unequivocally condemn this violent act. It has only been two and a half years since the murders of Insolvency Practitioners Cloete Murray and his son, Thomas Murray. Such attacks strike at the very heart of our justice system and undermine the safety and confidence of all professionals who dedicate their careers to upholding fairness, accountability, and due process in South Africa.”