JOHANNESBURG – A chilling tale of kidnapping, murder, and alleged military involvement has unfolded in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, as twelve members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) special forces face charges related to the kidnapping of two individuals and the subsequent murder of a Hawks investigator.
The twelve SANDF members made their third appearance at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, facing a litany of charges including kidnapping, murder, fraud, obstructing the administration of justice, making a false statement under oath, and theft of a motor vehicle. The 13th accused in the case is a front company of the Special Forces of the SANDF.
The charges stem from the alleged kidnapping of Abdella Hussain Abadiga and Kadir Jemal Abotese at the Mall of Africa on December 29, 2022. According to court documents, the two men were allegedly forced into a motor vehicle and taken to Zwartkop Military Base.
Adding a sinister layer to the case is the murder of Hawks investigator Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, who was investigating the kidnapping. Mathipa was killed on August 6, 2023, on the N1 highway near Hammanskraal, Pretoria.
Details surrounding Mathipa's death emerged in court on Thursday, as the state prosecutor read an affidavit from the Hawks investigating officer opposing bail for the twelve accused. The affidavit revealed a calculated plot to lure Mathipa to his death.
On August 6, 2023, at 12.55pm, Mathipa received a call from an individual identified as Tebogo. Tebogo claimed to have information regarding the kidnapping case Mathipa was investigating. The two agreed to meet at a petrol station in Lynwood, Pretoria.
Mathipa arrived at the petrol station and waited for Tebogo, who never showed up. He left the petrol station around 6pm.
Tragically, after Mathipa departed, a black BMW vehicle without registration plates followed his state vehicle. Moments later, an occupant of the BMW opened fire, fatally wounding Mathipa. His vehicle overturned, and he died at the scene.
The investigating officer's affidavit further alleges that Abadiga and Abotese were not only kidnapped but also killed by the twelve accused at an unknown location, date, and time. Their whereabouts remain unknown to this day.
According to the affidavit, Mathipa was targeted because he had obtained a Section 205 subpoena from the court to access classified information from the SANDF regarding the kidnapping case. A Section 205 allows police investigators to obtain information which is not in the public domain and is classified during the course of their investigation. The device used to lure Mathipa to Lynwood was reportedly found in the black BMW vehicle that followed him.
The state is vehemently opposing bail for the twelve accused, arguing that they pose a significant threat to the safety of investigating officers and witnesses. The investigating officer stated in his affidavit that the 12 accused should not be granted bail because they have previously threatened and intimidated the investigating officers in the case, and they will do so again if released on bail.
The affidavit detailed several alarming incidents. On April 18, 2024, vehicles used in the kidnapping of Abadiga and Abotese were allegedly seen outside the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, monitoring the movements of the investigating team.
Furthermore, on December 3, 2024, one of the investigating officers was accosted by a vehicle attempting to box him in as he left the Randburg Magistrate’s Court. The officer managed to discharge a shot at the vehicle, causing it to flee. Police crime intelligence later revealed that SANDF members had allegedly approached a well-known taxi hitman to "take the officer out," according to the investigating officer.
The affidavit also revealed chilling details about the extent to which the accused were monitoring the investigating team. When accused number six was arrested, he reportedly told the arresting officer that he knew he lived in Roodepoort and Centurion. He also allegedly told another police officer that he knew the type of shirts he wears when he is not at work, thus indicating that the accused monitors the movements of the officer.
The investigating officer argued that the twelve accused should not be granted bail because the police investigations are still ongoing and there is a possibility of more arrests. He also stated that the twelve accused have the capability to intimidate state witnesses and interfere with investigations.
The lawyers for the twelve accused presented their clients' bail affidavits on Tuesday, stating that they could each afford R5000 bail.
The court has issued an order prohibiting the publication of the names and pictures of the twelve SANDF members, as an identity parade has not yet been conducted. The court also ordered that the state prosecutor and investigating officers must not be named.
After the prosecutor read the investigating officer’s affidavit, the case was postponed to Friday, July 4, for the state and defence to make their arguments in the bail application. The twelve accused remain in police custody. The case continues to send ripples through both the legal and military communities, raising serious questions about accountability and the rule of law.
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