Fingerprint Evidence Surfaces in Henderson Murder Trial

Sandi Kwon Hoo A solitary fingerprint was obtained from the mobile phone discovered beneath the vehicle where Kimberley businessman Jayson ...

Sandi Kwon Hoo

A solitary fingerprint was obtained from the mobile phone discovered beneath the vehicle where Kimberley businessman Jayson Afrique was fatally shot.

Numerous gunshots were exchanged as Afrique and his wife, Micayla, reached the driveway of their home on Black Street, New Park, on July 31, 2024, with Jayson protecting Micayla from the gunfire.

The defendant, John-Ross Crossbery Henderson, director of Capital Guard Security, stated that his mobile phone was lost on August 1, 2024.

He is being charged with murder, attempted murder, trying to submit a false report to the authorities, and interfering with or hindering the administration of justice.

Sergeant Tshepo Mogoiwa of Provincial Crime Scene Investigations appeared in the Northern Cape High Court this week, stating that weighing scales were among the "unusual items" discovered at the crime site, which were submitted to the Pretoria forensic laboratory as evidence.

He mentioned that the mobile phone discovered beneath the vehicle rang prior to him putting it into a bag for evidence.

"A single fingerprint was detected on the mobile phone," stated Mogoiwa.

He mentioned that numerous individuals were present at the location upon his arrival.

At that point, we were unaware of the identity of the suspect.

Mogoiwa acknowledged that the crime scene might have been compromised when plastic containers were placed over the 10 shell casings.

A recording he captured of the crime scene was shown in court.

The defense claimed that video showing how the scene was handled had been "concealed" from both the prosecution and the defense.

Mogoiwa stated that it had been added to the agenda and that no one had asked for access to it.

He mentioned that the deceased's body was never set down on the ground, but was instead placed directly into a body bag before being transferred into the pathology ambulance.

Gunfire occurred at close proximity

Captain Luvuyo Mlindazwe, a forensic ballistic expert from the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory, mentioned that he reviewed images of the white Hilux bakkie.

He mentioned that photos obtained from the Local Criminal Record Centre were not captured on the day of the incident since the camera was "off."

Only the left side of the vehicle sustained damage from bullet holes, with the windows broken. The victim was shot at close range in the head and upper body while sitting in the driver's seat.

Mlindazwe calculated that the attacker was approximately three meters away from the victim.

Efforts to modify video recordings

The human resources manager at Awie Botha Motors located on Schmidtsdrift Road, Stephania Wilhemina Magdalena Bakker, stated that Henderson, who lived nearby, told her that his mobile phone was either lost or stolen while he was working on July 31, 2024.

He mentioned he had filed a report for the stolen mobile phone and requested to review the video footage to see if they could locate it at the garage. The recording showed Henderson exiting his bakkie at the garage and entering the convenience store.

She mentioned that someone else was observed on the footage approaching Henderson inside the store at approximately 10:27 pm and gesturing toward his pickup truck.

Henderson approached the individual and addressed him.

Bakker stated that Henderson did not seem to remove any items from the shelf and did not go to the checkout area before exiting the store and heading toward the Upington road.

She mentioned that Henderson claimed not to have known the deceased.

I was acquainted with the deceased, and I found out that he died the night before. Henderson claimed he didn't know Jayson, even though everyone was familiar with him because he repaired swimming pools.

Bakker stated that Henderson inquired of her three times whether the date and time of the video recording could be adjusted on the system to show the previous day.

I informed him that it wasn't feasible, and he inquired if I was certain. He questioned whether IT professionals could accomplish it. I responded that it wasn't possible, as it would essentially involve altering the video content.

Request for access to evidence

The lawyer for Henderson, Herholdt Robertson, filed a request to obtain access to the car and mobile phone.

"I am unable to question the firearms expert without being able to view the evidence," Robertson stated.

It was previously mentioned that the car had been fixed at the body shop and handed back to the owner.

State attorney Theunis Barnard stated that he would ask about the location of the evidence but was still waiting for a response from the investigating officer.

The case is ongoing under Deputy Judge President Mmathebe Violet Phatshoane.

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