Murray murders latest: why the Cloete and Thomas Murray case in South Africa remains unsolved and criticised

The phrase “murray murders latest” currently brings to light several recent and ongoing cases, but one particularly prominent and continuously developing story revolves around the assassinations of South African liquidators Cloete Murray and his son, Thomas Murray, in March 2023. This high-profile case has been plagued by allegations of police incompetence and delays, with recent calls for the investigation to be transferred due to a lack of significant progress. Alongside this, there are also very recent murder investigations involving individuals named Murray in the UK and the US, highlighting that the term can refer to multiple, unrelated tragedies.

Key details on the South African murray murders latest updates

• Victims: Cloete Murray, a renowned insolvency practitioner, and his son, Thomas Murray.
• Date of Incident: Saturday, 18 March 2023.
• Location: On the N1 North highway near the New Road off-ramp in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Circumstances: The father and son were travelling in a white Toyota Prado when unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in a suspected assassination. Thomas Murray died at the scene, while Cloete Murray succumbed to his injuries the following morning in hospital.
• Motive: Believed to be linked to Cloete Murray’s work as a liquidator on high-profile and controversial cases, including those connected to state capture and significant fraud allegations against companies like Bosasa and Trillian Management Consulting. At the time of their deaths, they were investigating a R200-million fraud case involving siblings Rushil and Nishani Singh and their companies I2 Infinite Innovations and BIG Business Innovations Group.
• Investigation Progress: The investigation has been widely criticised for being “excruciatingly slow” and “bungled”. Key evidence, such as a file in Cloete Murray’s car detailing interactions minutes before their deaths, was initially left behind by police and later collected by the family.
• Suspects and Arrests: A key person of interest, Ryan Barwell, was identified through CCTV footage following the Murrays, but had not been interviewed over a year after the killings. One of the men believed to be involved, Burnett Benacoba Hermanus, who was considered the primary gunman, was reportedly killed in an apparent hit outside Netcare Milpark Hospital. There is also CCTV footage revealing a third suspect that police have reportedly failed to act on.
• Political and Public Concern: The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, raised serious concerns in March 2025 regarding prolonged delays and urged for the investigation to be transferred to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) if SAPS remains unable or unwilling to act decisively.
• Reward: Non-profit organisation Forensics for Justice offered a R1 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those behind the assassination.
• Current Status: The investigation is reportedly being restarted from scratch, more than two and a half years after the murders, highlighting significant past failures by the police.

A full summary of the Cloete and Thomas Murray murders and the latest developments

The shocking assassination of father and son liquidators, Cloete Murray and Thomas Murray, on 18 March 2023, sent ripples through South Africa’s legal and business communities. Cloete Murray, a highly respected and formidable insolvency practitioner, known for his work on complex cases including those tied to state capture, was driving with his son Thomas on the N1 North highway in Midrand, Johannesburg, when they were ambushed by gunmen. Thomas died at the scene, and Cloete succumbed to his injuries the following day. Their deaths are widely believed to be a professional hit, directly linked to Cloete’s investigations into high-stakes financial fraud and corruption, particularly a R200-million fraud case involving siblings Rushil and Nishani Singh.

Since the initial incident, the police investigation has drawn considerable criticism, with many, including investigative journalist Kyle Cowan of News24, describing it as “excruciatingly slow” and “bungled” from the outset. A glaring example of this alleged incompetence was the discovery of a crucial file in Cloete’s car, containing vital information about their activities just before the shooting, which was initially overlooked by police and later retrieved by the family. This suggests fundamental missteps in preserving a crime scene and gathering evidence. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has faced ongoing scrutiny, with allegations that critical leads, including CCTV footage identifying a third suspect, have not been adequately pursued.

Further complicating the case, one of the primary suspects identified as the gunman, Burnett Benacoba Hermanus (also known as “Mr. B”), was himself reportedly killed in an apparent hit in March 2026. This development adds another layer to the complex and seemingly dangerous underworld connections surrounding the Murray murders. In March 2025, Mr Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, voiced serious concerns about the lack of progress and even suggested transferring the investigation to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), underscoring the political and public dissatisfaction with the handling of the case. The investigation is now reportedly being “restarted from scratch,” a stark admission of previous failures almost three years after the tragic event. This ongoing saga highlights the profound challenges in bringing justice for the Murray murders and raises broader questions about the effectiveness of certain high-profile crime investigations in South Africa. More details and ongoing coverage can be found on News24’s dedicated investigation page, “The Murray Murders” The Murray Murders – News24, and on platforms like Student Portal Trending, which often covers significant news stories.

Recent unrelated “Murray murders” cases in the UK and USA

While the South African case garners significant attention, there have been other recent, unrelated “murray murders” incidents:

• In April 2026, three teenagers – Lee Williams, John Harte, and Riley McDermott – are currently on trial at Manchester Crown Court, denying the murder of Vernard Murray, 26, in Cheetham Hill in October 2025. Prosecutors allege they “hatched a plan” to attack him with knives.
• A £20,000 reward was offered in August 2025 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the fatal assault of 75-year-old John Murray, who was attacked in his home in Carlton Road, Chiswick, London, on 12 October 2024.
• In the US, Hussein “Sam” Murray, a 72-year-old businessman from Rochester Hills, was killed during a home invasion in October 2024. Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life in prison in December 2025 for his murder.
• In Tennessee, Karen and Michael Murray are currently on trial, accused of the murder and neglect of their mother, Sheila Murray, who died in 2019.
• In November 2024, three men were arrested in connection with the homicide of 65-year-old Bruce Murray in Des Moines, Iowa. Murder charges are pending the results of a forensic autopsy.

Questions and answers regarding the Murray murders latest updates

• Q: Who were Cloete and Thomas Murray, and why were they targeted?
  A: Cloete Murray was a highly respected South African insolvency practitioner, and Thomas Murray was his son. They were targeted in a suspected assassination due to Cloete’s work as a liquidator on numerous high-profile and contentious cases, particularly those involving state capture and significant fraud.
• Q: When and where did the assassination of Cloete and Thomas Murray take place?
  A: The assassination occurred on Saturday, 18 March 2023, on the N1 North highway near the New Road off-ramp in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Q: What are the main criticisms of the police investigation into the Murray murders?
  A: The investigation has been heavily criticised for its “excruciatingly slow” progress, “bungled” handling of evidence (such as leaving a crucial file at the crime scene), and alleged failure to act on critical leads, including not interviewing identified suspects or pursuing CCTV footage of a third individual.
• Q: Has anyone been arrested or charged in connection with the Cloete and Thomas Murray case?
  A: While key persons of interest were identified, no arrests leading to prosecution have been announced. One individual believed to be the primary gunman, Burnett Benacoba Hermanus, was reportedly killed in an apparent hit. The investigation is currently being restarted from scratch.
• Q: What is the latest political involvement regarding the Murray murders investigation?
  A: In March 2025, Mr Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, expressed serious concerns about the prolonged delays and suggested that if the SAPS cannot or will not act decisively, the investigation should be transferred to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) to ensure justice.
• Q: Are there other recent “Murray murders” cases that are trending?
  A: Yes, there are several other recent and unrelated cases. These include the trial of three teenagers for the murder of Vernard Murray in Manchester, UK (April 2026), a £20,000 reward offered for information on the murder of John Murray in Chiswick, UK (October 2024), and the sentencing of two men for the murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray in Rochester Hills, USA (October 2024).