BBC News Hausa
·Aug 2026
BBC finds evidence that South African security officials killed a senior police investigator
Investigative evidence reviewed by the BBC indicates that members of South Africa’s special forces may have abducted and killed Ethiopian national Abdella Abadigga and later killed police investigator Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, who was examining the case. Police documents link vehicles used in both incidents to Peters Communications Trust, a company associated with the special forces, and place Major Sunnybooi Wambi near the crime scenes. Twelve soldiers, including Wambi and the current special-forces commander Solomon Lechoenyo, have been charged with crimes including abduction, murder, fraud and obstructing the investigation; all deny the allegations. Several suspects allegedly defied bail conditions and remain in service, while no trial date has been set and Abadigga’s body has not been found. Authorities, including the military and South African government officials, largely declined to respond.