By Johnathan Paoli
The Madlanga Commission, which adjourned in early December, heard testimony from a series of anonymous witnesses whose allegations gripped the country, as they described a web of alleged collusion between senior police officials, businessmen and criminal networks.
Testimonies from Witnesses X, ICB, A, B, C, and D revealed a deeply troubling picture of systemic abuse, intimidation, and manipulation within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and related structures.
Witness X provided detailed evidence suggesting collusion between senior police officers and alleged underworld kingpin, tenderpreneur, and attempted murder accused, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Evidence presented through the Commission’s evidence leaders highlighted WhatsApp messages and internal documents showing Matlala in regular contact with Major-General Lesetja Senona, head of the KwaZulu‑Natal Hawks.
Senona allegedly facilitated financial benefits for Matlala, assisted with disputed contracts, and coordinated property transactions involving his son and Matlala.
Witness X also alleged that Matlala had access to sensitive SAPS information, including multiple identity numbers associated with President Cyril Ramaphosa, which were shared with Senona.
The testimony suggested potential misuse and dissemination of confidential law enforcement information outside official channels.
Much of this testimony was delivered in-camera because of security risks to the witnesses.
Witness ICB presented extensive evidence from Matlala’s seized WhatsApp communications, demonstrating systemic corruption and financial exchanges involving senior SAPS officers.
Testimony highlighted how Sergeant Fannie Nkosi was allegedly used by Matlala to facilitate cash withdrawals, relay messages to Deputy National Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, and influence ongoing investigations.
Major-General Richard Shibiri reportedly provided payments to Matlala, with evidence suggesting insufficient investigation of Matlala’s criminal cases.
Brigadier Rachel Matjeng allegedly assisted Matlala in navigating contract payments, providing internal SAPS information, coordinating meetings with senior officials, and receiving laundered payments via third-party accounts.
Communications with a procurement officer identified as “Gundowan” revealed the alleged use of coded language to update Matlala on tenders and invoice payments, facilitating illicit financial benefits.
Witnesses A and B, both SAPS investigators, testified to deep links between senior police officials and organised crime networks, as well as threats and interference targeting investigative teams.
Witness A, a Gauteng detective, described social interactions hosted by senior officers as attempts to co-opt investigators’ loyalties, and detailed interference in the investigation of engineer Armand Swart’s assassination – revealed to be a case of mistaken identity — including manipulated ballistic evidence and obstruction of justice.
Witness B corroborated these claims, describing repeated intimidation, surveillance, attempted bribery, and veiled threats from superiors.
She also linked Lucky Molefe, nephew of alleged underworld figure, murder accused and businessman Katiso KT Molefe, to rigged state procurement tenders and delays in document disclosure, showing how criminal networks extended influence into both policing and public procurement processes.
Witness C, a Gauteng counterintelligence operative, expanded on the Matlala network, alleging that cash kickbacks were paid to senior officials, including Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and Major General Senona, via intermediaries such as Sgt Nkosi.
He also claimed that Matlala funded aspects of ANC-related activities linked to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and faced threats after refusing to fabricate cases against the PKTT head, Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo.
Witness D, later identified as former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official Marius van der Merwe, provided evidence about a 2022 police-linked operation in Brakpan that allegedly resulted in the torture and murder of a criminal suspect, and its cover-up.
He testified that since-suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi instructed him to dispose of the body of the alleged criminal.
Weeks after his testimony, Witness D was assassinated outside his home.
The commission has highlighted concerns about the integrity of law enforcement and the adequacy of witness protection measures, particularly after the assassination of Witness D.
The commission will resume in January.
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