A murder witness, known only as Mr KM, has taken the South African Police Service (SAPS) to court, demanding R2 million to fund his relocation and security after his identity was allegedly leaked online, putting his life at risk.
KM witnessed the murder of his employer in Kuruman on June 1, 2025, and claims that a confidential police communication containing his name and home address was mistakenly shared on his family’s WhatsApp group and widely circulated on social media. This breach allegedly exposed him to possible retaliation, especially in light of a recent gangster-related killing connected to the case.
Distrustful of the state’s Witness Protection Programme, KM refused their offer and instead sought a hefty payout from SAPS to cover relocation, security, and living costs. He also requested to conduct future communications with investigators remotely via Teams or Zoom to minimize further risks.
However, on June 13, Kimberley High Court Judge Cecile Williams dismissed his application, acknowledging the genuine threats but ruling that the extraordinary financial demand lacked sufficient legal grounds. The court pointed out that the Witness Protection Programme, overseen independently by the prosecution, remains a viable safeguard despite KM’s reservations.
SAPS has denied any deliberate leak to the media or social platforms and pledged to investigate the source of the breach. The case highlights ongoing concerns about witness safety and police information security in sensitive criminal matters.
