The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court will hand down judgement on Friday in the bail application of senior forensic ballistics analyst, Captain Laurence Makgotloe. The matter was adjourned last week to allow the magistrate time to prepare the bail judgment. The State alleged Makgotloe intentionally manipulated ballistic evidence in the case of murdered Vereeniging engineer, Armand Swart, to shield the suspects. Prosecutor Velile Makasana argued that the applicant has the potential to influence witnesses and undermine the interests of justice if released on bail. “The accused occupies
such a position of trust in relation to the courts and the general members of the public, but he has allegedly abused his scientific expertise to subvert justice. The state submits that his release may send an incorrect message to the members of the public that forensic manipulation aimed at derailing and defeating justice by assisting murderers to evade justice carries no immediate consequences.” Related video| State closes its case in bail application
Captain Laurence Makgotloe, bail application, Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, Velile Makasana, forensic ballistics, ballistic evidence, Armand Swart, Vereeniging engineer, murder case, Friday judgment