Overview
- Captain Solomon Modisane testified that an AK-47 seized in Bramley after Armand Swart’s killing matches the murders of DJ Sumbody, DJ Vintos and Don Tindleni.
- Captain Meldon Mkhatshwa said a 9mm pistol from the same seizure links to five other dockets, including the 2022 attempted murder of taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni.
- Brigadier Mishak Mkhabela reported about 41,846 cases awaiting ballistic analysis nationwide with roughly 42 analysts and more than 29,000 firearms held in storage.
- Mkhabela said the lab pays about R3.8 million per month to maintain its system yet can operate only four of eight input stations because of staffing shortages.
- Mkhabela confirmed errors and delays in the Swart case file, including 15 omitted cartridge cases in the approved report and a bullet delivered to the lab nearly three months after recovery, with an internal investigation underway.