PRETORIA – Two VIP protection officers accused of murdering a South African National Defence Force member have been released on bail of R20,000 each by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court.
Thabang Eugene Sohole (41) and Michael Makampe (42), who are assigned to the Madibeng Local Municipality Mayor Douglas Maimane, face charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and operating a vehicle with blue identification lamps on an unauthorised vehicle on a public road.
The incident allegedly occurred on 28 January at approximately 20:00 when Sergeant Michael Swanton and his wife, both SANDF members, were travelling along Eskia Mphahlele Drive towards the R80. They were flagged down by a dark BMW SUV fitted with flashing blue lights.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the couple turned onto the R80 towards Mabopane, where they were allegedly forced to pull over. Sohole and Makampe allegedly exited the BMW, with one armed with an R5 rifle, and approached the couple’s vehicle. Swanton was seated in the passenger seat whilst his wife was driving.
The two accused allegedly questioned the couple about a missing rear number plate before returning to their vehicle. The deceased then followed them to check their identification and establish whether they were police officials with lawful authority to stop and question them. As he approached the BMW, he was allegedly shot in the head and died at the scene. The suspects then fled the scene.
Hours later, the two accused handed themselves over at the Hercules Police Station, claiming that they were victims of an attempted hijacking and that a shooting had occurred on the R80.
State prosecutor Chris Maruma opposed their release on bail, arguing that the two might try to influence state witnesses and interfere with investigations. However, magistrate Mphahlele found that exceptional circumstances existed warranting the accused persons’ release on bail.
The magistrate ordered that the two should not contact state witnesses directly or indirectly.
The matter was postponed to 9 April for further investigations, according to NPA Regional Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
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