Witness G requests identity protection and voice distortion at Madlanga Commission

A Crime Intelligence officer who manages agents and informants has requested that his testimony at the Madlanga Commission be held behind closed doors and that his voice be distorted.

The officer, referred to as Witness G, has applied to testify in-camera, citing security concerns.

Witness G’s lawyer, Tshepo Matlala, stated that the publication of his client’s identity also risks endangering those around him who are not agents or informants.

“For instance, if somebody has witnessed our client with a particular informer, they could draw conclusions, correctly or incorrectly that the particular individual seen with the witness was acting in the capacity of an informer,” Matlala said.

Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson agreed that Witness G should not be visually identified; however, he noted that the commission does not possess voice-altering software.

“It’s not clear to me that he would be identifiable by voice, and so it seems to me that the request for off-screen testimony which will be recorded but without visuals—is one that we would support, but we wouldn’t go beyond that,” Chaskalson stated.

A ruling on the in-camera application will be made at a later date.