Cape Town - Nearly six years after the murder of legal fraternity giant Advocate Noorudien Hassan and three years after the killing of Advocate Vernon Jantjies, police have failed to make an arrest.
The cases the legal representatives were presiding over have also dragged on for years.
This week, police confirmed that there were no new leads in both the cases of Hassan and Jantjies, whose murders rocked Cape Town.
Hassan, who had represented alleged high-flyer Ralph Stanfield, was shot and killed in front of his Lansdowne home while sitting in his car in November 2016.
At the time of his murder, Hassan also represented businessman Irshaad Laher, who is facing charges relating to selling guns meant for destruction and sold to gang bosses.
Laher's case is currently still on the pre-trial listing at the Cape High Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed Stanfield's case is expected to resume in June.
Hassan’s family said, “We are not in a position to coment at this stage due to sensitivity."
Jantjies’ murder sparked outrage after he was shot and killed outside of the linen shop he owned in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain, in December 2019.
Jantjies had been representing Glenda Bird, who is now dead, the sister of alleged drug kingpin, Fadwaan “Vet” Murphy, who is currently on trial at the Cape High Court with his co-accused and is facing over 200 charges.
The NPA also confirmed Murphy’s 2018 trial is still on the court roll and that their offices had been subpoenaed to hand over all communication documentation by June.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said Hassan’s case remained unsolved and appealed for anyone to come forward with information.
“The investigation into the matter you are referring to is under investigation,” he said.
“The victim, who sustained gunshot wounds to his body, was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, where he later succumbed as a result of the injuries sustained. The unknown suspect/s fled the scene in an undisclosed direction and are yet to be arrested.
On Jantjies’ case, police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said the case was still under investigation, and there were no new developments to report.
“Our detectives are following up on all leads in an effort to find the perpetrators and solve this case.”
Steve Mahlangu, deputy director for media research and liaison Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, said they were now deemed cold cases with no new leads.
Mahlangu did not comment on questions posed and referred comments to the NPA.
The Jantjies family declined to comment on the fact that there were no arrests and developments in the matter.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Murphy's case had been set down for June after their offices had been subpoenaed to provide communication between the State and the police, and Stanfield's case was also on the roll.
Murphy and his co-accused, his ex-wife, Shafieka Murphy, Dominic Davidson, alleged henchman Leon Paulsen and Desmond Jacobs face charges of drug possession and drug distribution.
“In the matter of State vs Fadwaan Murphy, after the State closed its case, the defence brought a Section 174 application, which was dismissed,” he said.
“They then had to lead their case, but instead, they served our office subpoena requesting the state to provide all communication between the State and the police on this case i.e. electronic and hard copy documents.
“We informed the court that we are going to oppose that application. The application is now set down for June 1 and 2.
“The case against Ralph Stanfield will continue at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on June 24.”
Ntabazalila also confirmed that the case against the men accused of murdering Advocate Pete Mihalik was also set down for court on Monday.
“The Biyela matter (Milhalik murder) has been postponed for trial on May 16,” he said.
Mihalik was shot and killed in October 2018 while dropping his children off in Green Point. His child and girlfriend were also wounded during the shooting. Sizwe Biyela, Nkosinathi Khumalo and Vuyile Maliti, are currently appearing in court.
Weekend Argus