Defence claims evidence in SAAF member murder case is 'hearsay'

The defence in the case of a murdered SA Air Force (SAAF)  member has argued that evidence relating to the conduct of the two bodyguards accused of murdering Sergeant Michael Swanton amounts to hearsay and should not be admissible when considering bail.

Thabang Sohole and Michael Makampe, who are assigned to Madibeng mayor Douglas Maimane, are facing charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice, and driving a vehicle fitted with blue lights without authorisation.

Lawyer for the accused, advocate Vusi Nyabane, maintains that the state’s case is weak and has no prospect of success as it is entirely based on circumstantial evidence.

“This relates to the rules of the law of evidence in respect of hearsay evidence and its admissibility. But if I may make the point, the police official, of his own volition, conceded that he was not there. This is clutching at straws.”

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