Court finds 1 of 3 accused on trial for killing woman outside Wynberg Magistrates Court guilty

CAPE TOWN - One of the three accused on trial for the murder of a woman outside the Wynberg Magistrates Court more than two years ago has been found guilty of the crime.

Christine Gumira, who was an accused in a murder case, was shot and killed while leaving the courthouse on 25 May 2023.

She was an accused in a murder case and had just agreed to turn State's witness when she was killed.

Mandisi Mofu has been found guilty of the murder of Christine Gumira, while his accomplices, Lukhanyo Meme and Vuminkosi Vumene, have been found guilty of helping him carry out the murder.

All three accused were linked to the murder by the State's only witness, who identified them in a leaked CCTV footage that was widely circulated on social media.

In June 2023, a man known as Andile was brought in for questioning after investigators spotted his car on CCTV footage dropping off and picking up suspicious-looking men near the Wynberg Magistrates Court shortly before and after the fatal shooting.

He identified Meme and Vumene as the people he dropped off first, while the shooter remained in the car.

He testified that Mofu instructed him to drive off without his two accomplices.

Though he did not witness Mofu pull the trigger when he exited his car, he was, however, able to identify him as the shooter in the leaked CCTV footage.

All the accused denied the allegations levelled against them.

Handing down judgment on Thursday, Judge Andre Le Grange said he was satisfied that the prosecution was able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the involvement of all the accused in the murder.