A SAPS ballistics expert who examined evidence linked to the murder of Sergeant Mario Nel was in the dock at the Gqeberha High Court on Tuesday.
The state alleges that Andile Nyoka murdered Nel at the Motherwell Magistrates Court where he was stationed as a court orderly, on 3 May last year.
The 42-year-old Nel was dressed in his full police uniform on the day.
It is alleged that Nyoka attacked Nel at around 08:50 while he was pinning the court roll for the day on the notice board.
He allegedly grabbed Nel's service pistol and the two of them wrestled for possession of the gun.
In the process, Nel was shot through his head.
Warrant Officer Wesley McLean testified that he examined a 9mm Parabellum semi-automatic pistol with one magazine, as well as other fired cartridge cases and cartridge jackets.
McLean could determine that the firearm in question was Nel's service pistol, which was issued to him in 2007.
He said Nel's firearm was functioning normally and no defects were detected.
The court heard that two cartridges that were fired from Nel's gun were recovered.
One was found on the pavement in the parking area in front of the Motherwell Court, and the other in a taxi in Sisulu Street in Motherwell.
According to the SAPS Integrated Ballistics Identification System - IBIS- there was no indication that the gun had previously been used in other shooting incidents.
Thirteen other cartridges fired from an R5 rifle and seven from a different 9mm pistol were also tested.
These cartridges were fired from the guns of two police officers who were present in Sisulu Street when Nyoka allegedly opened fire on them.
The trial continues.
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