SAPS ballistics head says four firearms linked to murder of Armand Swart also connected to 24 other criminal cases

Four firearms linked to the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart have been linked to 24 other criminal cases.

This was revealed by the South African Police Service (SAPS)'s head of ballistics, Brigadier Mishak Mkhabela, during his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday.

The weapons were seized from one of Swart's alleged hitmen following his murder in Bramley in April last year.

Swart's company had exposed how a firm linked to Katiso 'KT' Molefe fraudulently secured a Transnet tender.

The four firearms seized from one of Swart's alleged hitmen have also been linked to the murders of Oupa John Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody, and Hector Buthelezi, known as DJ Vintos.

An infographic presented by Mkhabela at the Madlanga Commission illustrated the 24 criminal cases connected to the weapons recovered from Swart's alleged hitmen.

Chief Evidence Leader at the commission, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, read out Mkhabela' witness statement, which indicates that the firearms may be linked to additional cases beyond the 24 already identified.

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"What we see is 24 different cases linked to the guns seized in Bramley. We say that by October, it was now 2 different cases."

In addition to the murders of Swart, DJ Sumbody, and DJ Vintos, the firearms have also been linked to carjackings and cash-in-transit heists.