Freedom Under Law echoes calls for protection of investigators, whistleblowers in high-profile cases

JOHANNESBURG - Freedom Under Law has added its voice to calls to protect investigators and whistleblowers in high-profile criminal cases.

The non-governmental organisation also wants law enforcement agencies to ensure those responsible for the murders and intimidation of individuals working to expose crimes are brought to justice. 

This follows the attempted hit on advocate Coreth Naude in Durban on Thursday. 

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Naudé is acting on behalf of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in a tax inquiry involving controversial businesswoman, Shauwn Mkhize.

It is understood two unknown gunmen fired multiple shots at Naude's car as she approached a hotel parking lot in uMhlanga on Thursday.

The advocate was returning from Mkhize’s tax inquiry.

Freedom Under Law described the attack as a chilling reminder of the dangerous elements within society who would use violence to silence the truth.

"The Naude shooting follows the assassination of Bosasa liquidators, Thomas and Cloete Murray, the murder of Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit detective Charl Kinnear, who was investigating cases involving organised crime, and the murder of Gauteng Health whistleblower Babita Deokaran."

At the same time, SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has condemned the act as an attempt to intimidate court officers.