‘I was kidnapped’: SAPS analyst testifies over Swart murder ballistics | Madlanga Commission

SAPS Senior Forensic Analyst Captain Laurence Makgotloe has told the Madlanga Commission that he was “kidnapped” by Witness B’s team, who allegedly questioned him about a ballistic report linked to the murder of Armand Swart.

Testifying on Monday, Makgotloe said suspicious officers linked to Witness B’s team forcefully took him to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to question a ballistic report he had compiled for the Bramley and Vereeniging case.

He said the officers accused him of manipulating the report and attempted to confiscate his work computer.

“Witness B's team was attending to confiscate my work computer. Other Lieutenants intervened in the situation.

“They also prohibited confiscation of the computer and requested Witness B and her team to vacate the Forensic Scientific Laboratory premises,” Makgotloe told the commission.

Makgotloe said he did not consent to being taken anywhere and described the incident as coercive and unlawful.

“I stand by the fact that I was kidnapped as I did not give the officer's permission to take me anywhere and was forcefully taken by Witness B's team,” he said.

“The ordeal I underwent due to Witness B's team ended up at approximately 2 the next morning.”

He said he later opened a criminal case. “I opened a case of kidnapping on January 8 2025 which is currently being handled by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).”

His testimony follows evidence by SAPS ballistics expert Brigadier Mishak Mkhabela, who rejected claims that the original ballistic report compiled by Makgotloe at the Pretoria forensic laboratory had been tampered with.

The report is a key piece of evidence in the Armand Swart murder investigation.

Swart was shot and killed on April 17, 2024. He was shot 23 times while sitting in his vehicle outside the offices of his employer, Q Tech, in Vereeniging.

Mkhabela told the commission that errors in the report, including the omission of 15 AK-47 cartridges, were the result of a “typing error” and not interference.

Makgotloe echoed this explanation, insisting the mistake was administrative rather than deliberate.

Witness B, however, has previously told the commission a conflicting version.

Last year, the witness alleged the report had been tampered with, triggering internal confrontation and suspicion within SAPS.

Makgotloe has denied the allegations.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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