Freedom Under Law (FUL) and Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) on Wednesday urged law enforcement to act urgently and decisively in finding the perpetrators responsible for the killing of attorney Chinette Gallichan.

Gallichan was shot in central Johannesburg on Monday, on her way to represent mining company Sibanye-Stillwater at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

The killing has been described as having the hallmarks of a targeted hit.

FUL said the circumstances of Gallichan’s murder raised “deeply concerning questions” about the potential role of organised crime in Gallichan’s death.

FUL executive officer Judith February noted that her organisation had previously raised concerns about the killings of several lawyers, investigators, and whistleblowers in what appeared to be deliberate attempts to prevent criminal behaviour from being exposed, referencing the killing of attorney Bouwer van Niekerk in September 2025.

“It is not yet clear whether killing of Gallichan is another example of this worrying trend, but whatever the underlying reason, her death represents an attack on the rule of law and therefore on our constitutional democracy,” she said.

She warned that if lawyers were targeted as a result of the work that they undertook then the legal system, and government, would be under serious threat.

“We cannot allow the threat of violence to be normalised, or to be used to intimidate legal practitioners and to manipulate the legal system,” February added.

BACSA CEO Advocate Anton du Plessis stated violence such as Gallichan’s death was not incidental in organised crime environments, explaining that it was used to exert pressure, influence outcomes, and to shield criminal networks from accountability.

He noted that South Africa had an effective formal witness protection system.

“… however, the current threat environment suggests that protection measures may need to evolve to address a wider range of individuals operating within the system, particularly those exposed through their professional roles.

“The issue of impunity remains central. Where there is a perception that individuals can act without consequence, the risk of targeted violence increases, and the integrity of the system is undermined,” he added.

Continued State leadership was needed, he said, adding that coordination also needed to be strengthened, along with protection measures and the prioritisation of legal cases.

BACSA emphasised that while business and civil society could play a constructive role in supporting these efforts, it must reinforce the role of the State.