State in 12 murder-accused SANDF members case paints grim picture of army's special forces
This follows the arrest of a dozen soldiers in June on charges of murder, kidnapping, fraud and the obstruction of justice.
JOHANNESBURG - The State in the murder case against 12 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members has painted a grim image of the army’s special forces, fuelling further claims of a rogue unit.
This follows the arrest of a dozen soldiers in June on charges of murder, kidnapping, fraud and the obstruction of justice.
They are accused of orchestrating the 2023 murder of Hawks investigator Frans Mathipa.
The 12 men appeared at the Randburg Magistrates Court for a continuation of their bail hearing, where the State is opposing bail.
At the time of his murder, Mathipa was probing the special forces’ alleged involvement in the kidnapping of Abdella Abadiga and his bodyguard, Kadir Abotese.
READ: NPA confirms 12 murder-accused SANDF members facing two other counts of murder
In open court during the bail hearing, the State disclosed what it believed were the circumstances that led to Mathipa’s murder.
The events date back to December 2022, when CCTV footage from the Mall of Africa, the South African National Road Agency (SANRAL) freeway footage and cellphone data implicated some of the accused in Abadiga and Abatose’s disappearance.
While their whereabouts were never confirmed, the State said they were later killed by the SANDF security forces.
The State said Mathipa was hot on their heels and was killed as part of a cover-up.
The bail hearing continues.