Bail Hearing Delayed for SANDF Soldiers Accused of Triple Murder, Kidnapping and Cover-Up

As chilling details of military-linked crimes emerge, South Africa grapples with questions about trust, power, and justice

In a case that’s beginning to sound more like a spy thriller than real life, the bail application of 12 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members has been postponed to Thursday by the Randburg Magistrates’ Court. The reason? Authorities still need time to verify the accused soldiers’ residential addresses, a routine step in what is turning out to be anything but a routine criminal case.

These 12 uniformed men, whose job is to protect the country, now stand accused of being involved in one of the most disturbing cases of alleged military criminality in post-apartheid South Africa.

The Charges: A Laundry List of Crimes

The accused face three counts of murder, kidnapping, fraud, obstruction of justice, perjury, and theft of a motor vehicle. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has laid out a timeline that begins with a kidnapping at the Mall of Africa in Midrand and ends with the assassination of a Hawks investigator on the N1 highway near Hammanskraal.

According to NPA Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the soldiers are suspected of kidnapping Ethiopian businessman Abdella Hussain Abadiga, believed to be a financier for ISIS and his bodyguard, Kadir Jemal Abotese, on 29 December 2022. The victims were reportedly taken from the mall to Zwartkop Military Base, and neither has been seen since.

The case took a darker turn when Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, a member of the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State unit, was shot dead in August 2023 while investigating the abduction. He was allegedly gunned down on duty by assailants driving a SANDF vehicle.

Defence: Denial, Support from Command

In Tuesday’s court proceedings, the defence submitted affidavits in which the accused denied involvement in any of the crimes. A statement from one of their commanding officers was also introduced to support their bid for bail.

The bail delay means the accused remain in custody for now. But the NPA is taking a firm stance. “This is a matter of national importance,” said Mjonondwane, warning that the administration of justice is under threat if those involved in law enforcement are seen to operate above the law.

The Arrests: A Coordinated Sting

The soldiers were arrested in June, at locations across the country, including OR Tambo International Airport and Centurion, according to IOL. The arrests were carried out by an elite team from the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, assisted by Tactical Operations Management.

Their alleged role in the murder of a fellow officer, Mathipa, is what has shocked many observers the most. After Mathipa was gunned down on 6 August 2023, his vehicle crashed into a ditch. He was on duty at the time, investigating the very crimes now pinned on these suspects.

What’s at Stake: Trust in the Armed Forces

The story has rattled confidence in South Africa’s military institutions. How did a group of SANDF members allegedly become linked to a suspected terrorist kidnapping, a murder of a top investigator, and a cover-up?

“This case strikes at the very heart of our criminal justice and national security systems,” a retired military analyst told Joburg News Wire. “If proven true, it raises urgent questions about the politicisation and corruption of state power.”

Social media has also reacted with a mix of disbelief and anger. “You’re telling me the military was used to carry out hits?” one user posted on X. Another wrote, “We need accountability, from the top down. This isn’t just about 12 soldiers.”

The bail hearing will resume on Thursday, and for now, the accused remain behind bars. Should the court find their release poses a risk to public safety or the ongoing investigation, bail may be denied.

Meanwhile, the Hawks and the NPA continue to build their case, one that could have sweeping implications not just for the SANDF, but for South Africa’s broader fight against corruption and organised crime.

As the truth slowly unfolds, one thing is certain: this is a case that the nation and the justice system, cannot afford to get wrong.

{Source: IOL}

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