Retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga at the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria. An investigation by the task team probing commission cases has led to the arrest of an SAPS captain attached to the Forensic Science Laboratory.

A South African Police Service (SAPS) captain attached to the Forensic Science Laboratory has been arrested in Pretoria on charges of defeating the ends of justice, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said on Sunday.

The arrest, linked to several high-profile murder investigations and evidence before the Madlanga Commission, followed a raid where investigators seized ballistic reports, ammunition and other evidential material.

READ | Madlanga Commission, ad hoc committee revelations cast pall over police budget debate

The officer is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

According to Mathe, the suspect was arrested on Friday at his residence in Pretoria following investigations by the commission’s Recommendations Task Team.

“The arrest relates to allegations of defeating the ends of justice in several high-profile murder cases currently under investigation as well as evidence before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry,” she said.

During the operation, the team seized several items belonging to the state, including ballistic reports, ammunition, and other evidence relevant to investigations.

Comment from the commission will be added once received.

Meanwhile, the commission is preparing its second interim report after eight months of hearings.

It last heard the testimony of controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi, who was subsequently arrested on charges of defeating the ends of justice.

The commission has until 29 May to submit the second interim report and until 31 August to submit the final findings.