Gregory Loftus, the father of the late Bevan Loftus, has told the Madlanga Commission that his son was not involved in the drug trade or the killing of people. Testifying on Thursday morning, Loftus said Bevan earned his income through his towing and taxi businesses. He strongly rejected allegations linking his son to criminal activity.
“As far as I know, he lived from income received from his towing and taxi business”.
“I have been in the service; I would have had some idea if Bevan was involved in drugs or in the killing of other people. I vehemently dispute those allegations”.
Bevan Loftus Father Challenges Police Allegations
Loftus said claims that Bevan and his friends were involved in drugs were used by police as a cover to justify pursuing him and ultimately killing him. His evidence follows testimony from IPID deputy director for KwaZulu-Natal Len John on Wednesday.
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John told the commission that Hawks Colonel Deena Govender was linked to a R2.7 million financial trail following Bevan’s death during a 2023 police operation in Durban. Loftus is giving evidence with Advocate Mpilo Sikhakhane and Advocate Teboho Mosikili leading his testimony.
Five Men Killed During 2023 Durban Police Operation
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The April 2023 shooting left five men dead, including Bevan Loftus, Ryan Santos, Chase Fynn, Michigan Hippolyte and Sihle Zondi. According to the police account presented to the commission, a SAPS Task Team under Govender identified a flat after arresting a suspect in a Greenwood Park case.
Police said the five men opened fire when officers entered the flat. The Task Team returned fire, killing all five men.
