The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has uncovered significant procedural irregularities within the ballistic examinations for the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart. Captain Solomon Modisane, a senior forensic analyst with the South African Police Service (SAPS), presented these findings during his testimony....Click to Read More >>➤

Captain Modisane described the decision to send evidence to two separate forensic laboratories as highly irregular. The firearms connected to the case were tested at labs in both Pretoria and Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal. This duplication of ballistic examinations is a departure from standard police protocol.

Modisane expressed his direct concern about the unusual process. He stated that he found the situation bizarre and questioned why the case required analysis in two different provinces. According to his testimony, Warrant Officer Cadre informed him that the investigating officers had specifically requested the second, independent analysis in Amanzimtoti.

Armand Swart was murdered in 2024. Investigators have previously described the killing as a case of mistaken identity. This followed Swart’s company uncovering alleged irregularities in a Transnet tender process. The ongoing commission is scrutinizing the entire investigation for potential lapses.

Expert Questions Investigation Integrity

The core of the testimony centered on the integrity of the investigative steps. Conducting ballistic examinations at two different facilities raises immediate questions about procedure and potential external influence. These repeated ballistic examinations suggest a lack of confidence in the initial process or an attempt to secure a specific result.

The commission continues to hear testimony on how the high-profile case was managed. The revelations from the ballistic expert have intensified scrutiny on the SAPS’s handling of the matter. Each new detail adds to the mounting questions over procedural adherence and possible interference in the investigation.

Public and judicial attention remains fixed on the commission’s proceedings. The outcome of these inquiries is expected to have major implications for police accountability. The focus on the ballistic examinations highlights a critical juncture in the search for truth and justice for Armand Swart. ...Click to Read More >>➤