Police officer concedes he is not a facial-recognition expert in AKA-Tibz trial

AKA and Tibz murder accused from left Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande and brothers Malusi Dave and Siyabonga Gezani.

The defence in the murder trial of award-winning rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane has challenged a police officer’s identification of two men allegedly linked to the killings, questioning whether he has the expertise to identify suspects from CCTV footage.

Constable Rajen Saunder, who analysed surveillance footage showing a man allegedly spotting AKA at Wish restaurant on Florida Road and another allegedly following the rapper from King Shaka International Airport to Umhlanga, faced sustained questioning about his qualifications in facial recognition.

Advocate Musa Mzelemu, who represents Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande, the man the State alleges acted as a spotter at Wish ahead of the fatal shooting, asked Saunder whether he was aware that the South African Police Service had trained facial comparison practitioners qualified to conduct such analysis.

Saunder agreed but conceded that he was not one of those practitioners.

“Your identification of the two individuals on various CCTV footages, starting with the figure at the airport as well as the second individual you identified at Wish — all of that is based on your personal observation, not on any skill?” Mzelemu asked.

“It’s my human observation with my experience,” Saunder replied.

Mzelemu pressed him on what experience he had in identifying the two men.

Saunder explained that his co-functions is to download video footage daily. He made an example that if he were to see Mzelemu on television he would be able to recognise him.

“Have you been called upon to testify as a facial recognition expert?” Mzelemu asked.

Saunder said he had not, but had testified based on his own observations. He added that he had spent about 10 months examining footage linked to the case.

“I have spent 10 months with this footage almost every day looking at it. So yes, I stand by my statement,” Saunder said.

He maintained that he had been able to identify Ndimande and Mziwethemba Gwabeni by comparing their appearances with individuals captured in the CCTV footage. Gwabweni is alleged to have been following AKA and his crew from the airport until they reached Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga.

During further cross-examination, advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa asked Saunder whether he and other members of the investigating team had held meetings to discuss the progress of the investigation.

Saunder said they had not, explaining that the investigating officer would approach them with specific tasks to carry out. Seven men Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, siyanda Eddie Myeza, Gwabeni, Ndimande and Ndimande brothers Malusi Dave and Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande are on trial for the murders.