南非特种部队的8名军人和1名军警因涉嫌在2023年8月谋杀高级警探弗兰斯·马蒂帕而被控犯罪，均否认指控[1]。马蒂帕当时正在调查一桩涉及特种部队的绑架案[1]。警方掌握的关键证据包括一辆跟踪马蒂帕的黑色宝马车，其车辆登记在彼得斯通讯信托公司名下——该公司系特种部队的前台公司——以及追踪数据显示该车位于射击现场[1]。
案件的推进面临严重阻碍。三名被控谋杀马蒂帕的军人拒绝遵守法庭保释令撤销命令，仍在军队特种部队服役，其中一人甚至获得提升[1]。此外，特种部队曾向警方发出威胁："你可以任命10名调查官；我们会杀死他们所有人"[1]。12名南非军方人员共被逮捕，其中包括现任特种部队指挥官布里格·将军所罗门·勒乔恩洛[1]。三年后，案件仍未确定审判日期[1]。
Nine members of South Africa's military—eight special forces personnel and one military police officer—have been charged in connection with the August 2023 murder of senior detective Frans Matjila [1]. Matjila was shot dead while investigating a kidnapping case involving the special forces unit [1]. The suspects have all denied the charges [1].
Police evidence presented to the BBC includes a black BMW vehicle tracked to the crime scene, which is registered to Peterston Communications Trust, a front company for the special forces [1]. Tracking data confirms the vehicle was present at the shooting location [1]. The investigation also uncovered a threatening message allegedly issued by the special forces to police investigators: "You can appoint ten investigating officers; we will kill them all" [1].
The case has been severely hampered by the defendants' failure to comply with court bail conditions [1]. Three of those accused of murdering Matjila have refused to surrender and remain in active service with the special forces, with one reportedly receiving a promotion [1]. Among the 12 military personnel arrested overall is Brigadier General Solomon Lejone, the current commander of the special forces [1]. Nearly three years after the killing, no trial date has been set [1].