Corruption-buster found dead hours before murder case

19 June 2013 - 02:25 By GRAEME HOSKEN
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A senior Gauteng police officer was found murdered in a field outside Pretoria hours before he was to testify in a high-profile murder case in the Johannesburg High Court yesterday.

The semi-naked and bludgeoned body of Major-General Tirhani Maswanganyi was found by members of the Pretoria dog unit in Hammanskraal early yesterday morning. His hands and feet had been tied together

Maswanganyi, a cluster commander of the Johannesburg policing precinct, had been missing since Monday.

A known corruption-buster with 31 years experience, Maswanganyi had left his Pretoria home to return to Johannesburg, where he lives during the week.

The case in which he was to testify started yesterday.

It is not known how Maswanganyi's murder will affect the case, which is believed to involve corrupt police officers.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Phindi Louw said she would only comment on the matter today.

Police on patrol came across Maswanganyi's body after his abandoned car was found on the old Warmbaths Road on Monday.

Officers raised the alarm when they found his uniform and appointment certificate in his white bakkie.

His wife informed the police he had left their home a few hours earlier to return to Johannesburg.

A specialised investigation team, including Organised Crime and Crime Intelligence officers, has been established to investigate the murder.

Forensic officers who combed Maswanganyi's vehicle for fingerprints found a subpoena underneath one of the seats.

A source said the subpoena had instructed him to appear in court yesterday in connection with the murder trial.

"The information we have indicates this was a high-profile murder trial," the source said.

A Hawks officer said detectives specialising in investigating phone records had obtained his itemised cellphone bill and were sifting through it.

"It is hoped clues to his killers' identities or possible witnesses will be found in the records," he said.

The policeman said none of Maswanganyi's valuables had been taken. It was suspected the murder was a hit.

The policemen said officers were investigating the possibility of police involvement.

Police spokesman Brigadier Neville Malila said detectives from the Organised Crime and Provincial Investigation unit were working on the case.

He declined to comment on Maswanganyi's court appearance, "as it was sub judice".

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