A retired South African Police Service (SAPS) captain, Ashley Houston, has called Bevan Loftus “notorious,” contradicting his father, Gregory Loftus, who insists his son was a legitimate businessman with no ties to crime. The conflicting accounts emerged during testimony at the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating the 2023 shooting that killed Bevan Loftus and four others in Durban. Houston, who testified on Thursday, described Bevan as a figure associated with dangerous elements in KwaZulu-Natal. He recounted encountering Loftus during a police operation in April 2023, where the shooting took place. At the scene, Houston identified both Bevan and Ryan Santos, whom he recognized from social media. He noted that Bevan had previously been seen with members of the Hollywood gang, a group he characterized as feared and violent. Houston stated that the gang was engaged in conflicts with rival groups, referring to them as “east and west side.” He emphasized that Bevan was present with these individuals, suggesting a possible association with criminal activity. In contrast, Gregory Loftus, Bevan’s father, denied any involvement of his son in drug trafficking or violence. Testifying on the same day, Loftus asserted that Bevan earned his livelihood through his towing and taxi businesses. He dismissed the allegations against his son as false, stating, “As far as I know, he lived from income received from his towing and taxi business.” Loftus argued that the narrative surrounding his son’s activities was part of a broader attempt by authorities to justify the shooting. He suggested that the police were using the story to cover up their actions. The commission is examining whether the police operation that resulted in Bevan’s death was justified. On Wednesday, Len John, the deputy director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for KwaZulu-Natal, alleged that Hawks officer Colonel Deena Govender was financially connected to the incident. According to John, Govender was allegedly paid around R2.7 million to carry out the killing. This claim adds to the controversy surrounding the case, as it suggests potential corruption within law enforcement. Gregory Loftus further accused a rival, Clive Naicker, of ordering the hit, alleging that the attack was motivated by business rivalry. However, no conclusive evidence has been presented to support these claims. Govender has yet to comment on the allegations, leaving the situation unresolved. The shooting, which occurred in April 2023, left five men dead, including Bevan Loftus, Ryan Santos, Chase Fynn, Michigan Hippolyte, and Sihle Zondi. According to the police version of events, a SAPS Task Team under Govender had arrested a suspect in a Greenwood Park case. When officers entered a flat, the five men allegedly opened fire, prompting the Task Team to return fire and resulting in the deaths. The commission is currently reviewing the circumstances of the incident. The testimonies from Houston and Loftus highlight the deepening divide over the nature of Bevan Loftus’s life and the circumstances of his death. While Houston paints a picture of a man entangled with criminal networks, Loftus maintains that his son was a lawful entrepreneur. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify these discrepancies and determine the truth behind the tragic event.
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