By Lungelo Mkamba and Kamini Padayachee

There are still questions over what might have pushed top Durban attorney Mvuseni Ngubane to commit suicide at his Kloof home at the weekend, with his family and friends in the legal fraternity saying that he had showed no signs of distress.

Ngubane, 55, was found dead in his Mercedes-Benz on Saturday afternoon. He had apparently shot himself in the mouth and a gun was found near his body.

He was appointed by President Jacob Zuma last year to act as secretary on the committee appointed to probe the arms deal.

Legal professionals were full of praise for Ngubane, who has handled several high-profile criminal cases, including the defence of Durban businessman and socialite Sifiso Zulu and Sheryl Cwele, the former wife of the State Security minister Siyabonga Cwele.

Ngubane was the managing director and founding partner of Durban-based law firm Ngubane and Partners Incorporated, and was said to have been in favour with the government.

He was chairman of the Durban branch of the Black Lawyers’ Association (BLA) and was previously the national president of the organisation for two years. He co-chaired the Law Society of South Africa in 2005.

Top attorney Mvuseni Ngubane

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Ngubane also served on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in 2009 and was one of the JSC members who was perceived to favour Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe during the controversy that surrounded his alleged attempt to influence the Constitutional Court in favour of Zuma.

Police initially suggested that Ngubane’s death might have been related to “work-related problems”, but later said this had not been confirmed.

Police sources said a bloodied suicide note found in the back seat of Ngubane’s car had been virtually unreadable and had to be sent to the forensics department to be reconstructed.

Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mdunge said that an inquest docket had been opened.

“His family found him in a pool of blood with the gun next to him,” he said.

It is also believed that security cameras at Ngubane’s home had captured footage of the suicide. Mdunge said of the footage: “It will assist our investigation. But we will not disclose information on that. It is not in the best interests of the family.”

Ngubane’s brother, Boy, told The Mercury that he had last seen his brother on Saturday morning in Clermont.

“We met and spoke and then he went home. I was shocked to receive a call after 3pm from police.”

Boy said his brother had apparently shot himself after his wife Mpume and 13-year-old daughter Sduduzo, had left the home.

When Mpume and Sduduzo returned, they found Ngubane dead in the car.

“Mpume and Sduduzo went to the car and saw what had happened.” he said.

“He appeared to be his normal self when we met in Clermont. He did not tell me about any problems. This has taken the family by surprise.”

Ngubane’s former client, Cwele, said that she was overwhelmed by the news of his death.

“I spoke to him three days ago and he did not show any signs to suggest he was distressed,” she said.

“I am shocked beyond belief. I could not sleep last night (Saturday), I was crying so much. Only God will know what he was dealing with that made him react this way.”

Cwele, who is out on bail after being sentenced to 12 years for drug dealing, said Ngubane was meant to represent her at her criminal appeal against her conviction in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.

Ngubane had told The Mercury last week that the 500-page appeal papers had been filed.

Thami Thembe, a director at Ngubane’s law firm, said:

“We are not sure what could have pushed him to do this… It had been business as usual and he was handling high-profile matters.”

The national president of the BLA Busani Mabunda, who visited the Ngubane home on Sunday, described the death as a “big loss for the legal profession in the SA

… He could have easily become a judge.”

JSC spokesman Dumisa Ntsebeza SC was equally shocked. “I had spoken to him a few weeks ago and I joked about when the arms deal commission was going to get off the ground and he laughed it off and said they were putting it together.”

He said Ngubane had been a “master reconciler” and good leader.

“He had the distinction of being the president of the BLA for two consecutive terms. In that position, he had to get lawyers… to work together and he seemed to do this with effortless ease. He was an unassuming person who led by example.”

KZN Premier Zweli Mkhize, speaking in Newcastle at the provincial ANC congress, said he was saddened to hear about the death of the “seasoned activist lawyer”.

Ngubane is survived by his wife, daughter and son, Smanga, 24, who is studying at Wits University. – The Mercury