Johannesburg - The slain head of forensic investigations at auditing firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo, Lawrence Moepi, was investigating a number of sensitive and high-profile cases.
On Monday, the marketing and communications manager for SizweNtsalubaGobodo, Mankwe Sithole, said the killing of Moepi left the staff so traumatised that they had to undergo counselling.
Moepi was gunned down on Friday outside the auditing firm’s offices in Houghton, Joburg, as he was getting out of his car.
“This is a very sensitive and traumatic time for his colleagues. They are currently undergoing counselling,” Sithole said.
She described Moepi as a “humble, extremely wise man”.
“He had an aura about him. A lot of people respected him. He was the type of man who gave advice freely,” she said.
Sithole said Moepi kept a low profile in a “respectable manner”.
Asked if his killing could be associated with the cases he was investigating, the marketing and communications manager said it was difficult to say what the motive for the killing was.
“As our chairperson said, nothing was taken from him. We don’t know if police have been able to uncover anything.
“Our priority this week is to deal with the family and his colleagues, because they are taking this very hard. The people in other departments are shocked by this incident, not just the forensic department,” Sithole added.
She said Moepi’s family were still finalising the funeral arrangements.
His funeral was likely to take place at the weekend.
Moepi was an integral part of the team investigating the sale of Cosatu’s headquarters in Braamfontein, which was allegedly sold for R10 million less than its market value.
Suspended Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has been accused by some Cosatu affiliates of mishandling the deal.
Moepi was due to hand in his final report on allegations of financial mismanagement at Cosatu next month.
Moepi had also been appointed to work on the investigation of the multibillion-rand arms deal.
EyeWitness News reported that the forensic investigator was also handling investigations for Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.
Speaking at a conference on governance yesterday, Madonsela said Moepi was working as an external auditor for her office and had finalised at least one case while working on several other cases.
He also worked closely with the Scorpions before the unit was disbanded.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said no arrests had been made.
“We are continuing with investigations and trying to find a motive for the murder,” he said.
The Star