Thulisile Mapongwana
A private detective says their investigation into the 1993 Highgate massacre led them to the notorious Hammer Unit.
Frans Molokomme testified on Thursday at the East London Special Tribunal, revealing that he met with Wayne Groebler of the Hammer Unit on two occasions to discuss how the unit was responsible for the massacre of five people, while seven victims were wounded.
During these meetings, Groebler allegedly disclosed to Molokomme and his partner, Daryl Els, that six people were involved in the attack, including Colonel Pete Hall and Major General Christoffel Pierre van der Westhuizen.
Groebler allegedly identified himself as the getaway driver on the night of the massacre, while Molokomme testified that Hall, the unit’s commander, led the attack.
An advocate for the NPA told Molokomme that his partner, Els, who was the initial investigator in the case, had also been shown a structure resembling the Highgate establishment, where the Hammer Unit allegedly rehearsed the hit.
A second private investigator, Allan Elsdon, testified that until he died in 2017, Els remained adamant there was a massive police cover-up, claiming he was prevented from investigating high-ranking members of the Hammer Unit.
“There seemed to be an alliance between the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority in not pursuing certain cases,” Elsdon said.
He added that crucial statements and evidence had gone missing, further fueling suspicions of a cover-up.
Before Elsdon concluded his evidence on Thursday, he theorised that one person could have been the target of the hit, and several people were caught in the crossfire of concealment.
Elsdon is expected to continue his testimony on Friday.
