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Defence challenges police witness on CCTV skills in AKA trial

Published

Defence lawyers in the AKA murder trial questioned Sergeant Rajen Sanders on Tuesday about his facial recognition skills and whether the CCTV footage he analysed is genuine. Sanders said he could not guarantee the footage was not tampered with.

Sanders is a sergeant in the KwaZulu-Natal organised crime unit and a state witness. He collected 17 video clips to track the movements of the accused. He said he watched the footage over 10 months.

Advocate Muzi Mzelemu acts for accused Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande. He told Sanders: "I put it to you that you don’t possess any proficiency or expertise in facial recognition and body measurements". Advocate William Nicholson SC asked how anyone could know the footage was not tampered with, since it was collected after the incident.

Sanders said tampered footage changes in time and date. He said he identified the man in the BMW by his clothes at the airport, not by his face. He linked three men to the roles of spotter, tail and supplier of the guns.

Seven accused face trial in the Durban high court before Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi. They pleaded not guilty to murder and related charges. The trial began on 5 October and continues.

Key facts

Who
Rajen Sanders (KwaZulu-Natal organised crime unit sergeant and state witness); Tebello Motsoane (friend of AKA, known as Tibz, murder victim); Muzi Mzelemu (advocate for accused Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande); William Nicholson SC (defence advocate)
What
In the Durban high court, defence advocates questioned Sanders on whether he had facial recognition expertise and on the authenticity of the CCTV footage he analysed. Sanders said he could not guarantee the footage had not been tampered with. The trial continues.
When
27 October 2026
Where
Durban, King Shaka International Airport, Florida Road
Status
Reported

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