By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has noted false and misleading reports circulating on various media platforms claiming that Captain Laurence Makgotloe has been cleared by the organisation.
Makgotloe is accused of sabotaging the murder investigation into the death of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart. He allegedly submitted false ballistics reports, removed a firearm and ammunition, and obstructed the investigation.
Speaking to Fullview, SAPS national spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says, while this remains an internal labour matter between the employer and the employee, SAPS deems it necessary to correct the misinformation.
An expedited internal disciplinary process against Captain Makgotloe has been concluded, said Mathe.
He was found guilty on two of the four charges brought against him. Following the outcome of the disciplinary hearing, he was sanctioned accordingly, “Mathe added.
The police arrested Makgotloe in May 2026, and he is facing charges including defeating the ends of justice, being an accessory after the fact to murder and unlawful possession of ammunition in connection with Swart’s murder.
Makgotloe was granted bail of R15 000 and the case was postponed for further investigation. He is expected to reappear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 20 August 2026.
Swart, an employee of Q Tech Engineering Company, based in Vereeniging, was shot and killed while seated in his vehicle outside his workplace by two suspects who were driving a white Hyundai i20 on 17 April 2024.
He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene.
Ballistics evidence at South Africa’s national forensic labs has come under sharp scrutiny at the Madlanga commission of Inquiry.
Makgotloe testified that firearms used in the murder of Swart were later linked to 20 other cases, including the high-profile killings of Oupa “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka, Hector “DJ Vintos” Buthelezi and businessman Don Tindleni.