Cpt Meldon Mkhatshwa is a senior forensic expert deployed to the PKTT. He told the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday that the team was not yet dissolved but that only analysts dealing with DNA, ballistics or cellphones were sent back home.“The members that are left are the detectives and the combat because the combat is there to protect the detectives, although even ourselves (analysts) from time to time fly to Durban to attend cases,” said Mkhatshwa.The members that are left are the detectives and the combat because the combat is there to protect the detectives, although even ourselves (analysts) from time to time fly to Durban to attend cases— Cpt Meldon MkhatshwaExplaining the impact of analysts being sent home, he said: “I think the turnaround time of investigating the case [is affected because] they were having everything in the palm of their hands.”He said that the analysts had been designated to assist investigators and were able provide them with crucial information in a matter of days.“So they are no longer able to process things fast, to be [as] effective as they used to be because part of the disciplines are no longer there,” he said.Mchunu released the directives in December, stating that their service was no longer required, and that they added no value to fighting crime.However the KwaZulu-Natal Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleges that the minister had been influenced by cartels who wanted them disbanded, believing they were being investigated.However it was Gauteng intelligence operations that conducted the investigations into the cartel. “KT” Molefe et Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has been labelled the drug cartel that may have influenced the minister’s decision to disband the PKTT. The cartel is alleged by Mkhwanazi to be involved in drug distribution, cross-border hijacking, and contract killings.
2025-10-29 08:17:33
Analysts’ absence slows critical case turnaround – PKTT forensic analyst
