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SAPS Ballistic Expert Captain Laurance Makgotloe testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, February 2, 2026.
The case against veteran forensic and ballistic analyst Captain Laurance Makgotloe has been postponed to Thursday this week for a formal bail application.
Makgotloe is facing three charges, including defeating the ends of justice, being an accessory after the fact and unlawful possession of ammunition.
He made a brief appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning.
He allegedly failed to link firearms used in the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart to at least 30 other high-profile murder and several attempted murder cases.
Makgotloe was arrested at his home in Pretoria two weeks ago.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, says the state intends to oppose bail.
“The defence asked for the matter to be postponed because they were not ready with the bail application, simply because the state added another charge, which is an accessory to commit a murder. Therefore, that’s why 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,” she explains.
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