South Africa and Namibia murder trials see investigators accused of fabricating evidence

In South Africa, the Johannesburg High Court heard further testimony in the attempted murder trial of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. State security investigator Jaco Sheppard reaffirmed his identification of co‑accused Musa Kekana as the driver of a white Hyundai i20 seen at the murder scene in Vereeniging, despite defence arguments that the identification was made after the arrest.

In Namibia, defence counsel for murder‑accused Petrus Shikwaya alleged that Detective Chief Inspector Antonius Gabriel fabricated evidence in the case surrounding the killing of prosecutor Justine Shiweda. Gabriel rejected the claim, stating that the evidence would be presented at trial and that investigators do not determine the charges.

Both proceedings feature disputes over the reliability of investigative testimony and its impact on the respective murder cases.