VIP Guards denied bail as Court hears of threat to lone witness in Air Force member’s murder

The Pretoria Magistrates Court has heard that the release on bail of two VIP bodyguards, accused of killing an South African Air Force member, would pose a serious threat to the state’s sole witness.

Thabang Sohole and Michael Makampe, who were assigned to Madibeng mayor Douglas Maimane, are accused of shooting and killing Sergeant Michael Swanton.

The incident occurred on the R80 road near Mabopane in January.

At the time of the shooting, Swanton was travelling with his wife.

She is the state’s sole witness.

According to the investigating officer, Sergeant Leseja Mapiya, the couple was stopped by the accused who were flashing blue lights.

They were then questioned about why they did not give way.

The situation quickly escalated, with the two bodyguards shouting and exposing their firearms, including a rifle.

Mapiya said the deceased asked for the officers’ identification and believed they were going to retrieve it from their vehicle.

But instead, her husband was shot.

She reportedly heard a single gunshot and saw the bodyguards’ vehicle driving away from the scene with the mayor in the car.

The court heard that the woman now fears for her life and has alluded to moving house.

State prosecutor Advocate Chris Marumo argued that if anything were to happen to her, it would spell the end of the case.

He added that she should be protected at all costs, including keeping the accused behind bars.