South African Police Service (SAPS) forensic analyst Laurence Makgotloe has been granted bail in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
He’s facing charges including defeating the ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and being an accessory to murder.
The State alleges that Makgotloe intentionally manipulated ballistic evidence in high-profile murder cases, including the killings of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart and DJ Sumbody to protect suspects.
The case has been adjourned to discuss the bail amount and conditions.
Delivering the bail application ruling, Magistrate Johannes Kruger says, “The court is therefore satisfied that the interests of justice do not require the continued detention of the applicant. On the contrary; there are no substantial grounds on which bail should be refused. Having considered all the evidence presented before this court, the contents of the affidavit, oral evidence the relevant case laws, the applicant is entitled to be released on bail subject to conditions to be determined by the court.”
BREAKING NEWS | Senior forensic ballistics analyst Captain Laurence Makgotloe granted bail. pic.twitter.com/uwXjiRdWmZ
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 19, 2026
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