SAPS dismisses claims Captain Lawrence Makgotloe was cleared, confirms disciplinary guilty findings

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has refuted what it describes as false and misleading reports circulating on various media platforms alleging that Captain Lawrence Makgotloe has been cleared by the organisation.

In a media statement issued on Tuesday, SAPS said the claims were inaccurate and clarified the outcome of both the internal disciplinary proceedings and the ongoing criminal case involving the officer.

Although SAPS said the matter remains an internal labour issue between the employer and the employee, it decided to address the public misinformation.

In a statement n Tuesday, the police said that an expedited internal disciplinary process has now been finalised. Captain Makgotloe was found guilty on two of the four charges brought against him and was sanctioned following the disciplinary hearing.

SAPS did not disclose the nature of the charges or the specific disciplinary sanction imposed.

The police also confirmed that the criminal case against Captain Makgotloe is still before the courts. He was granted bail of R15,000, and the matter has been postponed to allow for further investigation.

Captain Makgotloe is expected to appear again in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on 20 August 2026.

SAPS reiterated that reports suggesting the officer had been cleared by the organisation are incorrect, stressing that both the internal disciplinary process and the criminal proceedings remain separate matters.