PRETORIA - A senior forensic analyst with over two decades of experience has been charged with allegedly sabotaging a high-profile murder investigation.
Captain Laurance Makgotloe, faces charges including accessory after the fact to murder, defeating the ends of justice, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
He was arrested by the Recommendations Task Team following his testimony at the Madlanga Commission.
He made a brief appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.
The seasoned forensic analyst joined the ballistics section in 2005. He made headlines after his damning testimony at the Madlanga Commission regarding his dodgy ballistic report into a high profile hit.
Makgotloe was assigned to analyse ballistics linked to the April 2024 assassination of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.
The State alleges that instead of performing his duties, Makgotloe deliberately manipulated the results to ensure the suspects could walk free.
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Subsequent investigations have now linked the firearms to several high profile murders that include Dj Sumbody, Dj Vintos and businessman Don Tindleni.
Beyond tampering with the Swart murder investigation, the State has also hit Makgotloe with charges for the unlawful possession of ammunition.
Makgotloe remains behind bars. He'll be back in court on 2 June for a bail application.
Report by Silindelo Sebata