Pretoria – A police captain attached to the South African Police Service Forensic Science Laboratory has been arrested on charges of defeating the ends of justice.
The Commission’s Recommendations Task Team arrested the captain, who has not yet been named, on Friday, 22 May 2026, at his residence in Pretoria.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the arrest relates to allegations of defeating the ends of justice in several high-profile murder cases currently under investigation, as well as evidence before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
“During the operation, the team seized several items belonging to the state, including ballistic reports, several rounds of ammunition, and other evidential material relevant to investigations,” Brigadier Mathe said.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 25 May 2026.
The Madlanga Commission, which is probing wrongdoing in the criminal justice system, including the police, heard extensive adverse evidence about systemic failures, backlogs, errors, capacity issues, and potential manipulation or corruption at the Forensic Science Laboratory, notably the ballistics section in Silverton, Pretoria.
