The legal fraternity is reeling after a prominent labour lawyer was gunned down in broad daylight outside the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration offices in the Johannesburg CBD on Monday morning.
Chinette Gallichan (35), from Krugersdorp, was shot at point-blank range as she walked to the CCMA offices at approximately 09:00 on 23 March. Police have launched a murder investigation and are searching for two suspects. No arrests have been made.
At the time of her death, Gallichan was reportedly representing global mining group Sibanye-Stillwater in a labour dispute allegedly involving retrenchment pay-outs. She had served as litigation superintendent at the mining and metals processing group for the past four years, handling complex employment disputes.
Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi has condemned the killing, saying violence can never be accepted as a means of resolving disputes.
Her spokesperson, Terrence Menase, said: “The minister noted that investigations are ongoing and called on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, in line with due process. Minister Kubayi extended her sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, as well as to her colleagues in the legal fraternity.”
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The assassination-style killing has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s legal community. Toto Geza, executive director of the South African Anti-Bullying Institute, condemned the murder as a breach of civic space and called for better protection for practitioners at institutions like the CCMA.
Gallichan held a LLB degree from the University of South Africa, which she obtained between 2009 and 2012. She later earned a postgraduate diploma in labour law with cum laude honours from the University of Johannesburg, and most recently completed a postgraduate diploma in management practice from Henley Business School – Africa in December 2024.
Her nine-year career in labour litigation saw her rise through senior positions at several major firms. Before joining Sibanye-Stillwater, she held director roles at De Beers and Geldenhuys van Reyneveldt, and served as a business partner at Hinrichsen Attorneys.
Colleagues described her as a highly professional lawyer who was well-respected at the CCMA for her handling of unfair dismissal cases, wage disputes and labour-rights matters.
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