Overview
- Police task-team investigators arrested the suspended senior forensic ballistics officer and seized state property including ballistic reports, rounds of ammunition and other evidential material.
- Prosecutors have charged Laurence Makgotloe with defeating the ends of justice, being an accessory after the fact to murder, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
- Authorities allege Makgotloe tampered with multiple high-profile murder probes by submitting false ballistics reports and removing a firearm and ammunition in one case.
- The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court concluded the accused discharged the legal onus for release and ruled bail would not jeopardise the pending trial.
- The case threatens public confidence in forensic work and could affect ongoing prosecutions and evidence before the Madlanga Commission as police continue their investigation.