SAPS ballistics head tells Madlanga Commission his dept critically understaffed

The South African Police Service (SAPS)’s head of ballistics, Brigadier Mishak Mkhabela, has revealed that his department is critically understaffed.

Mkhabela, a SAPS ballistics expert, is testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating allegations of corruption within the police service and the judiciary.

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He’s expected to provide evidence on how the murder weapons used in the killing of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart were linked to other high-profile assassinations.

His department analysed the cartridges recovered from the scene of Swart’s murder, whose company exposed how a firm linked to Katiso “KT” Molefe fraudulently secured a Transnet contract.

Mkhabela said the SAPS ballistics unit is currently functioning with only three ballistic analysts.

"Naturally with time, other members resigned, went for greener pastures, and we didn’t replace them. Eventually, we ended having limited members who can work on the system."