Detective reveals attempts to derail high profile murder investigation

THE investigators in the Armand Swart murder case have been assigned 10 officers to ensure their safety after the team received threats and intimidation, according to Witness A who testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday.

Witness A, a detective with the SAPS’s organised crime unit in Gauteng, said that they were no longer safe in their homes and at work. They had to drive around with the docket wherever they went. As a result, specialised teams were deployed to guard detectives in this matter and they were moved to safe houses.

His testimony was held partially in camera, where the public was able to hear his voice but not see his face. This, according to the commission, was done for the safety of the witness.

The witness stated that the investigators began experiencing challenges in court where a police officer alongside other murder-accused suspects made their first appearance at the Vereeniging Magistrate's Court, for Swart’s murder. 

Swart, an employee of a Vereeniging engineering company, was shot dead after alleged hitmen mistook him for his boss in April 2024. The company Swart worked for had uncovered a 4 650% overpricing on small engineering parts at Transnet.

Witness A said they were shocked as investigators (all five of them who were at the scene) to see the support enjoyed by the murder-accused individuals.

The accused individuals are Warrant Officer Michael Pule Tau, Musa Kekana, and Tiego Floyd Mabusela.

They were later joined by controversial businessman Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe, who was linked as having ordered the hit through cellphone evidence downloaded from Tau’s phone. Molefe is out on R400,000 bail for the murder of DJ Sumbody.

Witness A stated that during the first court appearance in Vereeniging, the mood was quite tense, and the behaviour of the accused's supporters posed threats to investigators. 

“We were surprised by the show of support for the accused individuals. The court was packed, more especially Michael Pule Tau. Some of the people in support of Tau were police officers mostly from Johannesburg Central police station, but they were in civilian clothing,” he stated.

During recess, one of the people was seen trying to take pictures of the five detectives working on the case. This is something that is unacceptable. We reported it and it was taken care of, he said.

They had come to court driving in three different unmarked State vehicles. He said on their way back, some cars belonging to the accused’s supporters ‘tried to drive us off the road’. 

“We communicated and had to stop somewhere. Then we decided to use an alternative route, the Old Vereeniging Road. These vehicles of the supporters continued driving with us, as we moved. This time, they didn’t try to force us off the road,” Witness A said.

The inquiry continues.

Cape Times