The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is expected to hear evidence relating to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and suspended Gauteng Crime Intelligence head Major-General Feroz Khan on Friday, with two key witnesses applying to testify partially in camera while protecting their identities.

The applications, brought in terms of Rules 4.2 and 4.3 of the Commission’s rules, relate to Witness N, a South African Police Service (SAPS) detective attached to the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), and Witness O, a member of Crime Intelligence.

Witness N, an Eastern Cape-based PKTT detective who also serves in the KwaZulu-Natal Anti-Corruption Unit, is expected to testify about allegations involving a senior IDAC investigator.

According to the supporting affidavit, the detective was introduced to a foreign national while conducting unrelated investigations in the Eastern Cape in January 2026.

The individual allegedly claimed that he and other immigrant shop owners in East London were being extorted in exchange for protection.

The affidavit further states that the complainant alleged he was assaulted by the investigator in September 2025 and opened a criminal case but received no assistance.

It also alleges that the investigator was involved in other criminal activities, including the sale of counterfeit cigarettes, providing fraudulent South African identity documents to undocumented immigrants and lending money to vulnerable immigrant business owners at exorbitant interest rates.

The application states that two additional witnesses have provided statements corroborating aspects of the allegations.

According to the affidavit, Witness N is deployed to the Political Killings Task Team investigating matters linked to the University of Fort Hare, where investigations have involved senior politicians and university officials and have been associated with murders and attempted assassinations.

The application argues that publicly identifying the detective could expose the identities of other PKTT members, compromise ongoing investigations, discourage informants from coming forward and potentially reveal the identities of Tactical Response Team and National Intervention Unit members who provide operational protection.

The commission is also expected to hear a similar application from Witness O, a Crime Intelligence member who is expected to testify about the handling of a criminal complaint against Khan relating to an alleged assault and intimidation incident in June 2018.

According to the supporting affidavit, Witness O will testify about a request allegedly made by IDAC head Andrea Johnson concerning the criminal complaint.

“The witness believes that Advocate Andrea Johnson, a senior prosecutor at the time, acted improperly in respect of this matter,” the affidavit states.

The application says the witness questioned the propriety of Johnson’s conduct but feared the consequences of reporting her concerns.

It states that she later made a protected disclosure to Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation officials seconded to IDAC in June 2022 in terms of the Protected Disclosures Act.

According to the affidavit, members of the investigative team are expected to testify about alleged interference by then National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi and Johnson in the investigation that followed.

The commission’s legal team said Witness O considers herself a whistleblower and fears occupational prejudice if her identity is disclosed.

“The witness harbours the fear that her appearance before the Commission poses particular employment-related risks to her, including but not limited to loss of trust amongst her colleagues and seniors,” the affidavit states.

Although Witness O is willing to testify in open proceedings without voice distortion, the application seeks an order protecting her identity by keeping her name and image confidential.

The commission is expected to hear both applications on Friday morning before the witnesses give evidence.

INSIDE POLITICS

The post Madlanga Commission to hear applications for protected testimony from two key witnesses appeared first on Inside Politic.