Ballistic analyst details how he linked firearm used in DJ Sumbody's killing to several other high-profile murders

A police ballistic analyst has detailed how he was able to link the firearms used in the murder of Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody, to several other high-profile murders.

Captain Solomon Modisane, a senior forensic analyst with the South African Police Service (SAPS), is testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday.

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Modisane said he conducted an extensive comparative analysis of cartridge cases and bullets recovered from the DJ Sumbody murder scene and matched them to evidence from other cases.

His findings revealed that the same rifle was used in the killings of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, DJ Vintos, and businessman Don Tindleni.

"I found that these cartridge cases were fired from the same firearm, so they bear a common origin. This specific firearm is a 7.62x39mm calibre, Russian Kalashnikov model AK-47, full automatic assault rifle."

Modisane went on to outline the technical aspects of the ballistic analysis of the firearm in question.

"As ballistics experts, we compare the individual and class characteristics; these are the markings that are transferred by the firearm components onto the cartridge case and onto the bullets during the firing process. So, there will be those characteristics that we are looking for on every specimen to determine the origin of those specimens."