KILLING LAWYERS IS NOT THE ANSWER

THE assassination of Cape Town lawyer Pete Mihalik on Tuesday has sent shock waves through the legal fraternity. Mihalik was shot dead in cold blood in front his son. The young boy was wounded in the incident.

We convey our condolences to Mihalik’s loved ones and we wish his son a speedy recovery. What was spine-chilling was the audaciousness of a seemingly a well planned attack.

As report on this page today, two suspects are facing murder and attempted murder charges in court. The police’s anti-gang unit must be praised for effecting arrests within hours of Mihalik’s murder. We also hope they apply the same efforts to other such murders in the city.

It is widely reported that Mihalik’s clients included several shady figures. So did his partner, the late Noorudien Hassen who was shot dead at his Lansdowne home two years ago.

The justice system must deal with the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.

South Africa’s crime rate is unacceptably high - our murder rate being among the highest in the world. Lives are destroyed daily by gangs, druglords and organised crime. Those with the money can recruit the best lawyers that is how it is.

But lawyers should not be intimidated or threatened to not take on cases. Nor should they be living fear because of their clients.

We must let the courts do their work in dealing with criminals. Killing lawyers is not the answer.

Peace.