Testimony at the Madlanga Commission has highlighted serious flaws in the South African Police Service's forensic laboratory, according to security analyst Professor Jacob Mofokeng. A senior analyst admitted to errors in a key ballistic report that could have undermined a murder investigation. The revelations point to systemic problems like high workloads contributing to unresolved criminal cases.
The Madlanga Commission inquiry into alleged police misconduct has brought to light deep structural issues within the South African Police Service (SAPS) forensic laboratory. On Monday, Captain Laurance Makgotloe, a senior forensic analyst, testified about inaccuracies in a ballistic report he prepared for the murder case of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart. Makgotloe insisted that the errors were unintentional typing mistakes, not deliberate sabotage, and attributed them to work pressure and a failure in the review process.
This testimony responds to claims made last year by Witness B, an investigator, who alleged that the report was manipulated to protect Katiso “KT” Molefe, an alleged cartel member implicated in the case. Makgotloe rejected the manipulation accusation, stating, “I can safely say those were typing errors and those typing errors were supposed to be picked up at the reviewing process, but were not picked up at the reviewing process. I cannot indicate as to for what reason but I can say it amounts to work pressure as well.”
Evidence leader Advocate Teboho Mosikili challenged Makgotloe, arguing that the errors risked derailing the investigation by failing to establish a positive link in the ballistics evidence. Makgotloe conceded, saying, “Yes, I accept that, commissioners.”
Security analyst Professor Jacob Mofokeng commented on the testimony, emphasizing the need for greater accountability and oversight to rebuild public trust. He warned that heavy workloads and additional clerical tasks heighten the risk of errors, potentially allowing many criminals to evade justice. “So, it means that most of criminals, they smile out of prison because of probably cases that will be withdrawn out of court, but as well as those that will be indicating that they don’t have probable convictions,” Mofokeng said. He highlighted the prevalence of firearm-related crimes where forensic failures prevent linkages to suspects.
The commission's hearings are set to continue on Tuesday with testimony from a new witness, as the inquiry delves deeper into these systemic challenges.
