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Captain Laurance Makgotloe at the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria on February 02, 2026.
Senior forensic and ballistics analyst Laurance Makgotloe is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning for a formal bail application.
The matter was postponed on Tuesday after his legal counsel indicated they were not prepared to proceed with the bail application.
Makgotloe faces three charges, including defeating the ends of justice, being an accessory after the fact and unlawful possession of ammunition. He was arrested at his Pretoria home two weeks ago.
The defence requested a postponement after the State added an additional charge of being an accessory to commit murder.
The State has indicated that it will oppose Makgotloe’s release on bail.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjane says, “The defence said they needed time to prepare an affidavit so that they can continue with the bail application on Thursday. The state intends to oppose his release on bail.”
Makgotloe allegedly failed to link firearms used in the murder of Armand Swart to at least 30 other high-profile murder cases and several attempted murder investigations.
Laurance Makgotloe case postponed in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application:
