Accused in Bouwer van Niekerk murder case abandons bail

The man accused of assassinating prominent Johannesburg attorney, Bouwer van Niekerk, has abandoned his bail application in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.

Twenty-nine-year-old, Mukelani Ntombela, who faces charges of murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition following Van Niekerk’s killing in September last year, appeared in court on Friday.

Ntombela’s legal representative, Marius Van Wyngaar, told the court on Friday that the defence would no longer proceed with the accused’s formal bail application after consulting with his client.

“However, after consultation with the accused, at this stage we are not proceeding with the bail application. We are abandoning the bail application.”

Ntombela is expected to return to court on 25 June for further investigations.

The bail application had previously been postponed to allow the State time to verify an alternative address submitted by Ntombela’s girlfriend, after claims emerged that he had allegedly been evicted from his flat.

Ntombela is accused of killing Van Niekerk, who was shot dead inside a Saxonwold boardroom by gunmen posing as clients.

Van Niekerk was a director at Smit Sewgobind Incorporated and handled several high-profile insolvency and business rescue matters, including cases linked to Gupta-associated companies.

His murder has also been linked to investigations into the collapsed NTC Global Trade Fund cryptocurrency scheme.

Insolvency Lawyer Bouwer Van Niekerk was murdered at his Law Firm office Smitsew Attorneys in Parkwood, North of Johannesburg Bouwer at the time of his attack was working on high profile insolvency matter linked to Ponzi Scheme. Hitmen arranged consultation at his office then… pic.twitter.com/p7JTQGNTD8

— Clement Rantho (@clement_rantho) May 3, 2026

The late Bouwer van Niekerk 🕊️🕊️was a highly respected South African attorney and insolvency specialist who was assassinated on the 5 September 2025 at his law firm in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.Renowned for his expertise in high profile liquidations and business rescues, he was… pic.twitter.com/4ozkjgYsbP

— Sunflower (@Sunflowerreal) April 21, 2026

The initiative will fast track the prosecution of the “politically protected” syndicates. The @RSASIU has been dragging their feed in recovering our monies from criminals and @NPA_Prosecutes and IDAC not doing their part either. Babita Deokaran, Mpho Mafole, Teboho Joala , Bouwer…

— Nhlanhla Sbusiso Mkhwanazi (@africans80288) April 17, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe