The bail application of senior South African Police Service (SAPS) forensic captain Laurence Makgotloe resumed in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, with the State continuing its opposition to his release.
Makgotloe, a veteran forensic analyst, faces allegations of tampering with ballistic evidence in two murder investigations, one of which relates to the killing of Vereeniging businessman Armand Swart.
The State is expected to rely heavily on testimony from a senior ballistics specialist as proceedings continue.
State Presents Testimony From Senior Ballistics Specialist
Captain Kenneth Bandla, a ballistics expert and supervisor attached to the priority crime litigation task team, is currently giving evidence on behalf of the prosecution.
Bandla is expected to outline how ballistic evidence linked to the cases was handled and examined during the investigations.
Following the completion of the State’s evidence-in-chief, defence advocate Emile Viviers is expected to cross-examine the witness.
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While presenting evidence for the State, Bandla referred to what he described as a history of errors involving Makgotloe.
“Cartridge cases, it’s not an error; maybe on a different portion of the reports, it is specifically around the findings of the examination between the firearm and the cartridge cases, so that is what is of concern.”
The bail application remains before the court.
