Referred to as: suspects · Suspects
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Certain people testified claiming to have a list of suspects who committed the crime, but MAJ-GENSENONA states he is not informed of such a list and denies any link to suspects.
“The people came here ... and say they have a list of people who committed these things. Why are we not told about those lists? ... I vehemently deny that I am linked to the suspect. I do not even know who they are.”
The witness objected to General Lebeya's suggestion that the seized firearms be handed back before ballistic assessments due to the suspects allegedly firing shots at innocent members of the public two days prior.
“I objected to the suggestion of General Lebeya explaining that arrest is not only on legitimacy of firearms but on fact that the suspects allegedly fired shots at innocent members of the public on the mine plant two days back”
Although the TOMS team expected suspects to appear in court and firearms to be sent for ballistic testing, nothing happened to the suspects nor were exhibits processed, and suspects were allegedly released with firearms returned for unknown reasons.
“I learned after a few days that nothing is expected to happen to the arrested suspects and seized exhibits. It is alleged that the suspects never went to court, but were released for unknown reasons and all firearms seized were returned back to the suspects”
General Mbotho expressed the view that the firearms seized belonged to a security company and were legal, which the witness interpreted as a possible attempt to release suspects with firearms.
“General Mbotho was telling me that was his view. But in giving me his view, I sense that maybe he wanted us to release the suspects with the firearms”
After the inquiry was opened, the suspects shot at public members causing the office to have to react and act on it.
“I will say we were fortunate on this matter that not long after the inquiry has been opened, the suspects shot at public members and we had to react and act on it.”
Suspects often know about surveillance devices or their presence and thus do not pick up the bait in controlled deliveries.
“On occasions, the suspects know the devices or the surveillance is in place. So they do not pick it up.”
There is a container identification and management system involving electronic signals from Transnet that controls container movement, and suspects know how to manipulate this to steal drugs.
“For the container to move, an electronic signal must come from Transnet to release that container onto the ground. The machine comes, picks the container up. ... So we pick up their irregularities when an unauthorised move puts that from level two and three on the ground. If it has been moved to the ground without authorisation, rip-on-rip-off takes place. ... The suspects know that.”
LT-Col Sebola demonstrated testing one of the bricks with a pin, concluding that the substance was indeed drugs, which led to the arrest of the suspects.
“Then I took one of those bricks ... took a pin, pressed it on this, then I did that as demonstrated. You see, then now I can come to a conclusion ... I will say, you will be dealing in drugs. That is when I arrived at that arrest.”
The suspects were present during the entire process of offloading, unwrapping, counting and sealing of the bags to ensure integrity of evidence
“they have to see the entire process. Offloading, opening, counting, sealing”
The evidence bags were sealed in front of the suspects as required, but Colonel Steyn is not sure if this was actually done or not.
“The evidence bags sealed in front of the suspects, yes ... I am not sure if it was done, no.”
Brigadier Jones was concerned that protests or suspects might interfere with the possession or safe keeping of the seized drugs.
“And was his concern that the protestors might try to – was it his concern that the suspects might have a hand in the disappearance of the drugs?”
Warrant Officer Zungu told Sergeant Nkosi that suspects were known to Mr Mthakathi and were arrested at the scene with allegations of murder.
“Warrant Officer Zungu told me that... there are suspects that are arrested there, Commissioner, at the scene with the allegation of murder”
The document lists detailed stolen property including serial numbers of pistols and rounds, and the names and dates of birth of suspects including their nationalities and case involvements.
“It lists the details of what exactly was stolen. The truckloads of chrome. Pistols. It even gives serial numbers of pistols. And the number of rounds ... It has names and dates of birth of suspects following their arrests ... It also says they are involved in certain case numbers ... It lists them at the bottom of that page and then at 596 ... it also says when the suspects will appear ... It says investigations will continue to track the buyer and tracking of the stolen chrome.”
General Shibiri warned investigators that suspects were planning to bring a bag full of money to bribe them to be freed and if they do not take the bribe, a hit is coming for them.
“General Shibiri informed us that he got the information that the suspects are planning to bring a bag full of money for us so that they can be freed failing which a hit is coming for us.”
Lt-Gen Shibiri was involved in the investigation of the murder of Ms Babita Deokaran and the burning of Tembisa Hospital and stated suspects were arrested but that Matlala was not linked at that time.
“I was personally involved and then we arrested the suspect and he was not part. So I was aware at that time...”