Magistrate rips case against SANDF 12 to shreds

'Evidence is weak at this stage'

- By Mpho Koka

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) presented weak evidence that could not prove that 12 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) special force members killed Hawks investigator Lt-Col Frans Mathipa and two foreign nationals - Abdella Hussain Abadiga and Kadir Jemal Abotese.

The state did not produce any evidence that Abadiga and Abotese were kidnapped by the SANDF members from Mall of Africa in December 2022, and that they killed them, magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe said.

Moreover, the state did not produce evidence that any of the dozen accused had shot and killed Mathipa with a high-velocity firearm, she said.

With these statements, Mkhasibe dealt the final blow to the NPA's bid to deny the accused bail. On Friday, Mkhasibe released the accused on R10000 bail each during their appearance at the Randburg Magistrate's Court.

The accused, Sunnybooi Pinny Wambi, Edward Albert van Deventer, David Mogaditswe, Kgosietsile Letsatsi, Samkelo Ngwenya, Jonathan Nteleza, Paulos Matlou, Herbert Mashego, Solomon Lechoenyo, Jacob Mokoena, Richard Mpoetsi and Olyn Lenardus, had applied to be released on bail, with the state opposing their application.