Machar trial: Court begins cross-examining digital forensics expert

2026-03-06 - 15:48

The Special Court trying suspended First Vice President Riek Machar has begun cross-examining its final prosecution witness, a South African digital forensics expert. The development came during the 57th session on Friday, after the court admitted a contested digital forensic report into evidence during an earlier hearing. The defence had objected to the report, citing discrepancies in the certification dates, but the court allowed it to be used. During cross-examination, lead defence counsel Geri Raimondo Legg questioned the qualifications and experience of the expert witness, Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi. Rafadi told the court he holds an Advanced Diploma in Cyber Security from Assets College in Australia, along with several short professional courses in forensic investigation. He said he had previously testified in two criminal cases in South African magistrate courts involving digital evidence from mobile phones and computers. However, he could not recall the names of the parties involved, stating that one case was in 2024 and the other about four years earlier. Rafadi said the current trial marks his first appearance before an international tribunal or special court. On laboratory accreditation, he said the forensic tools he uses are accredited, but South Africa does not accredit private digital forensic laboratories, though investigative tools must be licensed. The expert also confirmed that the complete raw extraction data from the seized devices was not presented in court, but said the material submitted represents a “bit-to-bit extraction” of relevant data. When asked whether his private company had standard procedures for extracting digital data and whether he received authorization from the South Sudan government, Rafadi said he received a formal letter addressed to him personally, submitted to the court as Document 9G. Rafadi dismissed previous allegations in South Africa suggesting he tampered with phones in another investigation, saying the claims were unfounded and that he works closely with law enforcement, providing supporting documentation and his curriculum vitae to the court. He said South Africa has numerous government and private forensic laboratories, including those operated by police and registered private firms. Charges against Machar Machar, 73, and seven co-defendants face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces, allied with the White Army, attacked the Nasir Garrison in Upper Nile State in March 2025, killing 257 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces soldiers, including commander David Majur Dak, and destroying or seizing military equipment valued at about 58 million dollars. Machar remains under house arrest, while the other accused are held at facilities of the National Security Service in Juba.