The murder trial of Q-Tech engineer Armand Swart took a dramatic turn this week when a key state witness alleged that Lucky Molefe, the nephew of alleged crime cartel figure Katiso “KT” Molefe, ordered the hit that led to Swart’s death.
Swart was gunned down in April last year outside his workplace, Q-Tech, in Vereeniging, Gauteng. The brazen killing sent shockwaves through the engineering firm and the local community, prompting an extensive police investigation that eventually led to the arrest of four suspects, including Katiso Molefe himself.
Witness Corroboration
During court proceedings, Witness B testified that Lucky Molefe was directly responsible for arranging the assassination. The witness’s statement corroborated earlier evidence given by Witness A, which detailed the sequence of events leading up to and following Swart’s murder.
According to Witness B, the hit was allegedly motivated by internal corruption concerns linked to a Transnet tender awarded to SK Group, a company associated with Lucky Molefe. The witness told the court that Lucky became increasingly anxious after a Q-Tech whistleblower raised alarms about the tender process, which had not been publicly advertised.
“Swart’s name came up in discussions as someone who knew too much,” Witness B told the court. “They believed he might have been involved in exposing the tender deal.”
The Tender Scandal
Investigations revealed that SK Group had received a lucrative contract from the state-owned logistics giant Transnet. The tender, however, was allegedly awarded irregularly, prompting internal scrutiny and a formal investigation within days of the whistleblower’s disclosure.
Just days after the probe was launched, Swart was fatally shot outside Q-Tech’s offices. Authorities now believe he was mistakenly targeted, as the intended victim was reportedly the whistleblower who had exposed the irregularities.
Crime Cartel Links
Prosecutors allege that Katiso “KT” Molefe, who is currently facing multiple charges linked to organized crime and corruption, played a key role in facilitating the hit. Witness B described KT as a central figure in a network that controlled several front companies tied to fraudulent tenders and money laundering operations.
“The Molefes operated like a syndicate,” the witness said. “There was a clear chain of command, and Lucky took orders directly from his uncle when business interests were threatened.”
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Following a months-long investigation, four people were arrested in connection with Swart’s killing, including KT Molefe. The accused face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and racketeering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
The court heard that cellphone records, surveillance footage, and financial transactions are expected to be key evidence linking the Molefe family to the assassination plot.
Ongoing Trial
The trial continues in the Gauteng High Court, where more witnesses are expected to testify about the alleged criminal network’s reach within state-owned enterprises and private contractors.
Swart’s family, who have attended every hearing, say they remain hopeful that justice will be served. “We just want the truth to come out,” a family member said outside court. “Armand didn’t deserve this — he was an innocent man caught in something far bigger than himself.”
The case has reignited public concern about the infiltration of criminal syndicates into public procurement systems and the danger faced by whistleblowers who expose corruption.