Brigadier Mbanga Nkhwashu’s secret prison visit raises alarms in Armand Swart murder probe

By Johnathan Paoli

Witness B has accused acting Sedibeng District Commissioner, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, of interference, undue influence, and possible collusion with suspects in the murder of Q-Tech engineer Armand Swart.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, Witness B described a disturbing pattern in which Brigadier Nkhwashu’s name repeatedly surfaced during key stages of the Swart investigation – from unusual requests for access to case dockets to a secretive prison visit to one of the accused.

According to Witness B, the first sign of interference came in July 2024, when a colleague approached her, claiming to be acting on Nkhwashu’s instructions.

The message, she said, was clear: Do not oppose bail in the Swart murder case.

“He said he had been sent by Acting Sedibeng District Commissioner Brigadier Nkhwashu, and that I should not oppose bail for Mr Tau,” she told the commission.

Michael Pule Tau, an alleged police