A South African Police Service (SAPS) forensic analyst accused of failing to link a firearm to several murder and attempted murder cases has been found guilty of two charges in an internal disciplinary hearing.
SABC News reports that Captain Laurence Makgotloe was cleared of two allegations but found guilty of two others following an expedited SAPS disciplinary process.
Makgotloe was found guilty of dishonesty relating to the issuing of a corrected ballistic report and for changing the dates on which the corrections were made.
He was also found guilty of contravening the SAPS code of conduct after failing to properly use available resources to identify a firearm that had been handed to him for analysis.
As a result, Makgotloe has been suspended for one month without pay.
The internal disciplinary proceedings follow allegations surrounding the handling of ballistic evidence linked to the murder of Armand Swart and several other murder and attempted murder cases.
During proceedings before the courts, a state forensic expert testified that Makgotloe had deviated from standard operating procedures by issuing ballistic reports that had not undergone the required review and contained multiple errors.
However, the outcome of the SAPS disciplinary hearing is separate from the criminal case against Makgotloe, which remains before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
Makgotloe is currently out on R15,000 bail. His bail conditions include surrendering his passport, refraining from interfering with witnesses and being prohibited from accessing his workplace.
The criminal matter is expected to return to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on August 20 for further proceedings.