Africa-Press – South-Sudan. JUBA— South African digital forensic expert Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi testified on Wednesday that the March 2025 Nasir incident was a carefully orchestrated plan developed over an extended period.
During cross-examination on Wednesday in Juba, Mr Rafadi, a witness for the prosecution, stated that the evidence indicates the attack was planned in October 2024.
“In the same individual report of the third accused person (Gatwech Lam), the message demonstrates planning and support. This message was sent to the third accused person on 18 October 2024. The incident was long planned, and if in 2024 there were similar incidents,” Peter said.
Peter told the court that similar incidents had happened before the 30 March 2025 Nasir incident, which led to the killing of 257 soldiers from the SSPDF, including Commander David Majur Dak.
The incident also led to the destruction or seizure of military equipment worth about $58 million during an attack on the Nasir garrison in March 2025.
“The message demonstrates that other incidents on page 19 of the individual report of the third accused on 17th October 2024 at 6:51 am, a message from the WhatsApp group chat, were read and confirmed that the Nasir county commissioner hereby condemns the planned attack launched against the Nasir civilians on 17 October 2024 at 3 pm,” Peter said.
He stated that the keyword ‘Nasir’ was used to extract messages related to the Nasir incident, which he analysed, showing the incident took place on October 17, 2024, involving an SSPDF attack on the white army.
“That is how I drew my conclusion based on the extracted message from the WhatsApp group chat found on the third accused person,” he said.
Machar’s lawyer, Anis Tombe Augustino, requested Peter to clarify to the court the connection between the incident of 2024 and the Nasir incident of March 2025.
“From digital evidence, I relied on keywords, and if Nasir pops up, it becomes part of my evidence,” he said.
The court is now expected to resume on Friday, April 10, 2026, when the defence team will continue cross-examining the prosecution’s final witness, a digital forensic expert whose testimony is considered central to the case.
The panel overseeing the proceedings is led by Presiding Judge James Alala Deng, alongside Justices Stephen Simon and Isaac Pur Majok. The case has drawn significant national attention, not only because of Machar’s political standing but also due to the scale of legal representation involved.
The prosecution team comprises 13 lawyers drawn from the Ministry of Justice and other legal institutions, underscoring the importance the state has attached to the case. Senior prosecutors include Counsel General Deng Achuil Adija, Dr Sabri Wani Lado, Serafino Simon Mizan, and Filberto Mayuot Mareng, supported by a wider team of advocates and legal officers.
On the defence side, six lawyers represent the accused, including Dr Geri Raimondu Lege, Kur Lual Kur, and Anis Tombe Augustino.
The case is being investigated under the leadership of Major General Basile Thomas Wani, assisted by Brigadier General John Dak, while Captain Richard Gachi Apollo of the Internal Security Service is listed as the complainant.
Those standing trial alongside Machar include Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
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