WHAT began with two arrests has exploded to 12 in a case rocking Mzansi's defence force.
Twelve suspects, all confirmed to be members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), appeared before the Randburg Magistrates Court on Monday, 23 June, in connection with the murder of Lieutenant-Colonel Frans Mathipa and a separate kidnapping case.
The suspects were arrested following an intensive investigation by the Hawks.
Ten of them handed themselves over to investigating officers in Joburg on Monday, 23 June 2025, while two were arrested earlier.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mathipa, who served in the Hawks' Crimes Against the State section within the Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in Gauteng, was fatally shot on 6 August 2023 while driving on the N1 highway near Hammanskraal, Tshwane
After being shot, his vehicle veered off the road and landed in a ditch.
He was on duty at the time, working on a sensitive investigation.
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In addition to the murder charge, the accused are also linked to the kidnapping of two foreign nationals at a shopping mall in Midrand, Gauteng on 29 December 2023.
Due to a court order, the identities of the accused cannot be disclosed at this stage.
The case has been postponed to 1 July 2025 for a formal bail application.
Commenting on the arrests, Hawks spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Singo said:
"These arrests send a strong message that no one is above the law. The murder of Lieutenant-Colonel Mathipa was not just an attack on a police officer, but an attack on the justice system.
"We are committed to seeing this investigation through and ensuring that all responsible face justice," said Singo.
The Hawks have indicated that investigations are ongoing, and additional arrests have not been ruled out.
