By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The case against suspended SAPS forensic ballistics expert captain Laurence Itumeleng Makgotloe has been postponed to next Tuesday, 02 June 2026, for a formal bail application.
Makgotloe appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning following his arrest on Friday.
His apprehension relates to allegations of defeating the ends of justice in several high-profile murder cases currently under investigation, as well as evidence before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
The arrest suggests that the commission is using testimony before it as a roadmap for criminal investigations into alleged networks operating within SAPS structures.
He faces three charges of defeating the ends of justice, possession of ammunition without authorisation, and accessory after the fact to murder.
Speaking to the media outside court, National Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said Makgotloe, a senior ballistics expert attached to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory, was arrested on Friday by the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) on charges including defeating the ends of justice, being an accessory after the fact, and possession of unlicensed ammunition.
“When they arrived at his home, they found him in possession of 28 ballistics reports, but the team is still analysing those particular ballistics reports. They also found him with several rounds of ammunition,” Mathe said.
She said the case originates from the murder of businessman Armand Swart, who was killed in April 2024 in a hail of bullets, with suspects arrested shortly after the killing found in possession of firearms linked to the attack.
Investigators recovered an AK-47 and pistols, as well as a Hyundai i20 allegedly used in the hit.
“In that particular Hyundai i20, one AK-47 was found together with two pistols,” she said.
Mathe explained that the firearms were sent for ballistic testing at SAPS forensic laboratories, where the initial report compiled under Makgotloe was later found to contain errors.
She said organised crime detectives then sought a second opinion after noticing discrepancies.
“The team then requested for a second opinion for those particular firearms,” she said.
Mathe said the firearms were subsequently analysed at the Amanzimtoti Forensic Science Laboratory, where they were linked to 30 serious and violent cases, mostly murders and attempted murders.
She added that a further verification at the Eastern Cape Forensic Science Laboratory confirmed the same findings.
“Those firearms were then taken to Eastern Cape Forensic Science Laboratory, where indeed the two reviewers and ballistics experts then agreed that these firearms are linked to 30 serious and violent cases, the majority being murder and attempted murder,” Mathe said.
Mathe said investigators were continuing to use the national ballistic database to establish further connections.
She also praised two unnamed investigators involved in the case, saying their work was critical in uncovering the links between firearms and multiple violent crimes. She said protective measures had been put in place due to security risks.
Makgotloe is expected to return to court next week as his legal team prepares a formal bail application.
Barely two weeks ago, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and 12 senior SAPS officials appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court in connection with corruption allegations linked to a R360-million Medicare24 contract awarded to alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat Matlala.