Killer Posed As Client: Man Arrested For Killing Saxonwold Lawyer

A 33-year-old man has appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the fatal shooting of attorney Bouwer van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk was killed at his office in the upmarket suburb of Saxonwold, where he had reportedly been handling a complicated case linked to an alleged Ponzi scheme.

Man Appears In Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court

Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the suspect was arrested on April 29, 2026, following what authorities described as intensive investigations carried out by the Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit.

The 43-year-old attorney was gunned down on September 5, 2025, in what appeared to be a planned attack.

Details Of Saxonwold Shooting That Killed Attorney Bouwer van Niekerk

According to Nevhuhulwi, the victim was approached by a group of about four men who arrived at his office posing as clients with a scheduled appointment.

“Only two of the men went inside and while in the boardroom, gunshots were heard. The unknown men fled the scene. The 43-year-old attorney was declared dead on the scene,” said Nevhuhulwi.

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The matter has been postponed to May 11, 2026, to allow for a formal bail application. The accused remains behind bars.

In a separate incident earlier this year, Chinette Gallichan, a 35-year-old lawyer from Krugersdorp, was shot dead outside the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration offices at the corner of Fox and Joubert streets in Johannesburg CBD.

Reports indicate that Gallichan, who was part of Sibanye-Stillwater’s legal team, had arrived for a labour-related matter at around 9am when she was attacked shortly after stepping out of her vehicle.

An assailant allegedly approached and opened fire at close range. The South African Police Service has launched an investigation, but no arrests have been made.