SizweNtsalubaGobodo director of forensic services Lawrence Moepi was shot dead at the firm’s office in Johannesburg last Friday, in what is believed to be a planed crime.
South African media reported that it is believed that Moepi was followed to his workplace by four men in a Volkwagen Golf and was shot as he got out of his car. Nothing was stolen. South African police is still looking for the suspects and investigating the reason for Moepi’s murder.
"No one has been arrested yet," lieutenant colonel Lungelo Dlamini told the South African media. "We haven’t established a motive yet."
Moepi was reportedly involved in a number of high profile investigations including the fraud trial of former Directorate of Special Operations official Geoffrey Ledwaba and the ‘South Africa arms deal scandal’ which carried allegation of corruption at the highest level of the state.
Association of Public Accounts Committees of South Africa chairman Sipho Makama told the Daily Dispatch, a South African newspaper, that Moepi’s murder was just the tip of the iceberg of threats directed at forensic auditors.
"It is a bigger threat to those still alive and this might lead to the industry losing quality auditors because they fear for their lives," Makama told the Dispatch. "The public is not aware of the murky and dangerous environment forensic auditors operated in."
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By GlobalDataSizweNtsalubaGobodo executive chairman Nonkululeko Gobodo said in a statement: "All of our staff are extremely shocked and saddened by the news. Lawrence was an inspirational leader, and his insight, wisdom and talent will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this extremely difficult time."
SizweNtsalubaGobodo is South Africa’s fifth largest firm by revenue and a Morison International member firm.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday 24 October in Pretoria.
Related link:
Murder of auditor ‘tip of iceberg’
