Ballistic Evidence in Spotlight
Pretoria – The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System is set to hear testimony from a new witness this morning, focusing on ballistic evidence and its role in high-profile investigations. Chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission has already uncovered alarming claims of evidence tampering, including alterations to ballistic reports that could have swayed court outcomes. As the probe digs deeper into how syndicates might have infiltrated police ranks, families of crime victims and ordinary South Africans hope for answers that could restore trust in a system plagued by doubts.
Commission Overview: Probing Deep-Rooted Issues in Justice System
Launched in July 2025 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Madlanga Commission aims to expose criminal networks, political meddling, and graft within South Africa’s criminal justice framework. It was sparked by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s bombshell allegations of high-level interference and syndicates undermining law enforcement. Over months of hearings, witnesses have painted a picture of a system where evidence is manipulated, probes stalled, and officers pressured to bend rules.
The inquiry has referred several top officers for criminal probes, leading to suspensions and special task teams. For everyday people frustrated with unsolved crimes, this commission represents a chance for cleanup, ensuring police serve justice rather than personal or political interests. Hearings have been intense, with some witnesses testifying in camera for safety, highlighting the real dangers involved in speaking out.
Ballistic Evidence Under Scrutiny: Claims of Tampering Emerge
Ballistic evidence – the science of linking firearms, bullets, and crime scenes – has taken centre stage at recent sessions. Witnesses have alleged reports were altered to hide key details, potentially letting suspects walk free. In one case, a secret witness known as Witness A testified that a ballistic report in the Armand Swart murder investigation omitted crucial information about 15 empty cartridge cases found with a police detective.
Witness A, an investigator on the Swart case, described waiting an hour and 30 minutes to collect the report because “amendments” were needed. When received, the document seemed incomplete, missing data that could link suspects to the crime. They suggested this was no simple error but a deliberate omission, raising fears of interference to protect connected individuals. For someone new to this, ballistics works like a puzzle: matching casings from a scene to a gun proves who fired it. Tampering with reports breaks that chain, allowing guilty parties to escape justice and leaving victims’ families without closure.
New Witness Steps Forward: Focus on National Ballistics Leadership
This morning’s session features Brigadier Mishack Mkhabela, the national head of the South African Police Service’s ballistics section, who is expected to defend the integrity of reports under his watch. Mkhabela has faced questions on how overloaded labs and potential amendments could lead to mistakes or manipulations. He has told the commission about the pressures on forensic teams, including backlogs that delay justice for months or years.
His testimony could address specific cases, like the Swart murder where engineer Armand Swart was killed, and a Gauteng police ballistic report allegedly “omitted” evidence. Mkhabela has maintained that any changes follow strict protocols, but critics argue this opens doors for foul play. Understanding his role helps: as head of ballistics, he oversees labs where guns and ammo are tested, ensuring evidence holds up in court. If tampering is proven, it could lead to reviews of past convictions and major reforms in how forensics are handled.
Tragic Fallout: Witness D’s Murder and AK-47 Evidence
The commission’s work has come at a high cost, with the shocking murder of Witness D, real name Marius van der Merwe, on 5 December 2025. Van der Merwe, who testified on syndicate activities, was gunned down outside his Brakpan home just days after appearing. Ballistic tests confirmed an AK-47 automatic rifle was used, a weapon often linked to organised crime in South Africa.
Police launched a manhunt, with crime scene experts, intelligence officers, and violent crime units combing the area. Van der Merwe arrived home around 8:30 p.m. with his wife when attackers struck, inflicting fatal upper body wounds. His death has intensified safety fears for witnesses, prompting calls for better protection like anonymous testimonies or relocation programmes. For families like his, it is a painful reminder that seeking truth can be deadly in a system riddled with threats.
Patterns of Interference: Secret Witnesses Reveal Systemic Flaws
Several anonymous witnesses, labelled A, B, and C, have shared chilling accounts. Witness A detailed how ballistic reports went missing or were altered in major cases, suggesting a pattern to shield powerful figures. Witness B, an investigating officer, testified on delays in firearm testing that hampered probes, while Witness C spoke of pressure to ignore evidence linking suspects to crimes.
These stories point to broader problems: overloaded labs in places like Silverton, Pretoria, where backlogs mean evidence sits untested for months. Amendments to reports, meant for corrections, can be abused to hide facts. The commission has heard how this affects everything from murder trials to gang busts, letting criminals walk free and eroding public faith. Simple explanation: if a report says a gun does not match a crime scene when it does, innocent people might suffer while guilty ones escape – a breakdown that hits victims hardest.
Presidential Action: Probes and Reforms in Motion
President Ramaphosa has acted on interim findings, ordering urgent criminal investigations into 14 officers and forming special task teams. Suspensions aim to prevent tampering, while the full report could recommend sweeping changes like better lab funding, independent oversight, and anti-corruption training. For South Africans dealing with high crime rates, these steps offer hope, but slow progress raises doubts – will real change follow, or is it more talk?
Community Impact: Calls for Trust and Safety
In Gauteng and beyond, where violent crimes like the Swart murder occur, families demand reliable evidence for justice. The commission’s work could rebuild confidence, ensuring ballistics and other forensics serve truth, not agendas. Witnesses’ risks highlight needs for protection, while overloaded systems call for more resources.
As today’s hearing unfolds, the nation watches for revelations that could clean up policing. For victims’ loved ones, it is about closure; for society, a fairer system. In the end, exposing these flaws could lead to a stronger justice chain, where evidence speaks clearly and criminals face the consequences.
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