SAPS ballistics expert to remain behind bars after bail application postponed

Disgraced Pretoria Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) analyst, Captain Itumeleng Laurence Makgotloe (53), remains in custody at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility after the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court postponed his bail application to 9 June.

Makgotloe faces charges of defeating the ends of justice, two counts of being an accessory after the fact to murder, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

“Mr. Makgotloe we have to postpone the matter, as you have heard, to Tuesday, 9th of June at court 16 for further bail application and and you are still in custody till then,” said Magistrate Johan Kruger.

Investigating officer, Xolani Sokhanyile, told the court that Makgotloe allegedly played a key role in delays linked to the investigation into the April 2024 assassination of Vereeniging Q-Tech engineer, Armand Swart.

He also said a separate investigation relates to allegations that Makgotloe fabricated ballistic evidence in a 2018 case in which a woman was allegedly shot with her husband’s firearm.

Sokhanyile further told the court that evidence emerging from the Madlanga Commission points to a broader pattern of conduct involving Makgotloe in several investigations.

He added that several witnesses have expressed fears of intimidation, claiming they have been accused of “snitching” for cooperating with investigators.

Among the accused in Swart’s murder are former Warrant Officer, Pule Tau and alleged underworld figure Katiso “KT” Molefe, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the killing.

Sokhanyile said Makgotloe repeatedly insisted that he was still amending reports, despite several requests to finalise them.

The court also heard that a rifle and a pistol allegedly linked to Swart’s murder may be connected to other high-profile killings in Gauteng, including those of DJs Somebody and Vinny.

Sokhanyile further alleged that at least 15 spent cartridges went missing from the scene, and that references to other linked murder investigations were omitted from the final report.

He also told the court that ammunition was recovered at Makgotloe’s home, including 44 rounds of various calibres, despite the accused allegedly claiming nothing suspicious would be found.

Sokhanyile said this exceeded the legal limit for a law enforcement official and amounted to unlawful possession of ammunition.

He added that one hollow-point round was also found, describing it as highly lethal ammunition.

The court also heard that investigators also recovered at least 28 reports from the residence, some compiled by Makgotloe himself, with 18 still not presented in court proceedings.

Makgotloe’s attorney, Emile Viviers, argued that any errors in ballistic reports were honest human mistakes, rather than deliberate misconduct.

Sokhanyile disputed this, saying an analyst of Makgotloe’s experience should not be making repeated errors.

He also rejected the suggestion that ballistic experts can simply be excused for such mistakes.

Viviers further told the court that Makgotloe has no prior criminal convictions or disciplinary record.

He also argued that delays in finalising the Swart case report were due to FSL backlogs, not deliberate obstruction.

The defence further said ammunition found at Makgotloe’s home was part of monthly forensic sample allocations used for testing.

Sokhanyile rejected this explanation, insisting such samples should remain at the laboratory and not be kept a private residence.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao