By Johnathan Paoli
A protected Hawks analyst has told the Madlanga Commission that businessman Tumelo Nku was not a police informer, but allegedly played an active role in a drug-trafficking network linked to the 2021 Aeroton cocaine bust.
The evidence was given by Witness J, an analyst attached to the Hawks’ Priority Crime Management Centre, whose testimony was heard fully in camera after a ruling by Commission Chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
A redacted transcript of the testimony was made available to the media on Monday evening.
Witness J said in the transcript that an analysis of Nku’s cellphones showed that his role in the movement of the truck carrying the drugs was substantial.
“Tumelo Nku is not an informer as he alleges because if that was the case, the drug-seizing was supposed to be seized in Durban. Why would he risk travelling all the way to Durban and come back following the truck?” the witness said.
The analyst told the commission that Nku’s cellphone data, encrypted messaging applications, movement records and communications pointed to a broader role in the alleged trafficking operation.
“During my analysis of Tumelo’s cell phone data, it indicates that Tumelo is a facilitator for the containers that are used to conceal illegal drugs. He is involved in drug trafficking and has people who are assisting him to facilitate the trafficking of drugs.”
Witness J said Nku worked with Gauteng traffic police Chief Inspector Samuel Mashaba and allegedly benefited from assistance within law enforcement.
“Tumelo was working for [REDACTED] and had contacts within law enforcement who were assisting him with illegal activities. Samuel Mashaba had connections with other units of the law enforcement that he used to assist Tumelo to achieve his objective, which was to retrieve illegal drugs from the truck,” Witness J said.
The witness also alleged that Nku concealed assets through relatives and companies, including a R2.9 million property registered in his mother’s name despite communications allegedly indicating that he controlled it.
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi questioned Witness J on how Nku appeared to fund his lifestyle.
“I will say, Commissioner, he is a business person, also doing drug trafficking, because he does have a company that is running now, distributing Coca-Cola products,” the witness responded.
Witness J also alleged that communications recovered during the investigation showed Nku had connections within the ANC in the Eastern Cape.
“You can see that he is connected to the organisation, African National Congress, because most branches, they ask for donations. I think he secured a table for the Eastern Cape for the January 8th. You can see he is connected because he is funding other organisations,” they said.
The witness further testified that investigators had identified multiple foreign bank cards allegedly linked to Nku.
“We do have cards that are in Tumelo’s name. All these bank cards are foreign bank cards. Four or five different banks.”
Witness J’s conclusions formed part of a digital forensic assessment of WhatsApp, Telegram and Threema communications, call records and cellphone movement data.
The analyst said the evidence showed “a consistent pattern of communication and utility” between Nku, Mashaba and other individuals.
“In my opinion, the totality of the digital evidence analysed indicates that Tumelo Nku played an active role in monitoring, facilitating, and communicating about the movement of containers from the port of Durban to Gauteng.
“I further conclude that the digital evidence supports the existence of a coordinated communicating network of individuals across encrypted messaging applications and ordinary cellular platforms in relation to the movement of containers, transport arrangements, and the suspected retrieval of illicit goods,” the witness said.
The evidence builds on earlier testimony before the commission examining Nku’s alleged role in the 2021 Aeroton cocaine seizure.
Previous witnesses testified that Nku had alerted Mashaba to a truck allegedly transporting cocaine from Durban before the Aeroton operation.
The commission has also scrutinised WhatsApp exchanges between the pair and heard allegations that Nku made payments to Mashaba despite being described as an informer.
IPID investigator Zelda Maphosho previously testified that she was unable to verify Nku’s claimed informer status, while commissioners questioned why an alleged informer was present at the Aeroton scene carrying about R60,000 in cash.
In July 2021, police seized more than 700kg of cocaine, valued at about R300 million, after a consignment was transported from Durban Harbour to a Scania depot in Aeroton, south of Johannesburg.
The commission has heard that the crime scene was compromised, that about R55 million worth of cocaine later went missing, and that encrypted communications allegedly pointed to an organised trafficking network involving multiple participants.
Nku has not yet testified before the commission. His scheduled appearance was previously postponed after his attorney cited a family bereavement, with a further date expected to be confirmed.
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