Twelve South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officials appeared before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court today (11 July), where each was granted bail of R10 000 in connection with the high-profile murder of a senior Hawks investigator and alleged kidnapping of foreign nationals.
The defendants – 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 – will remain free pending their next court appearance scheduled for 17 July, when a bail appeal judgment will be heard.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of military personnel in what authorities describe as organised criminal activities targeting law enforcement officials.
The murder of Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa
The charges stem from the assassination of Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, a seasoned investigator with the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State section within the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Gauteng. On 6 August 2023, Mathipa was fatally shot while driving on the N1 highway near Hammanskraal during what police sources described was an active investigation.
Following the shooting, Mathipa lost control of his vehicle, which veered into a roadside ditch, where his body was discovered.
Hawks unit under fire
Mathipa’s death was a significant blow to the Hawks’ specialised unit responsible for investigating serious organized crime and crimes against the state. His murder has raised concerns about the safety of law enforcement officers investigating high-level criminal networks, particularly when military personnel may be involved.
The Hawks unit, formally known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, focuses on serious corruption, organised crime, and crimes that threaten national security. Mathipa’s expertise in this specialised field made him a valuable asset in ongoing investigations.
International kidnapping allegations
Beyond the murder charges, the twelve SANDF officials face additional allegations related to a kidnapping incident on 29 December 2022. According to court documents, two male foreign nationals were allegedly abducted from a shopping mall in Midrand, a incident that authorities now link to the same group of military personnel.
