By Johnathan Paoli
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is set to resume on Thursday morning amid mounting anticipation following a day of bombshell testimony linking senior police officials to a R360 million SAPS health services tender scandal.
Anonymous Witness X, giving testimony to the commission via an intermediary, maintained that the evidence discussed in the commission was merely the tip of the iceberg.
“There are numerous other exchanges that exist, which will be addressed in oral evidence in closed session. These are important in themselves but also offer additional context or further insight into the matters discussed,” X said.
The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is expected to continue probing evidence of collusion, cover-ups, and financial favours allegedly exchanged between top-ranking law enforcement figures and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Witness X’s earlier testimony detailed how businessman Matlala, owner of service provided Medicare 24 Tswane District, had promised to purchase a property for Thato Sesona, the son of KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Lesetja Senona, in January.
This occurred while Senona allegedly expressed concern about Matlala’s R360 million SAPS health tender, already under investigation following a media expose.
According to X, Senona appeared to “assist Mr Matlala with the payment of invoices” submitted by his company and “shared information with him related to the Police Key Technical Team (PKTT)” that had overseen certain procurement contracts.
The evidence suggests that senior officers may have coordinated to preserve their influence after the PKTT’s dissolution by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
In January, Senona sent Matlala a message stating: “If things are favourable, let’s finalise the contract for those guys who assisted us”.
Witness X interpreted this as a reference to individuals who may have facilitated the disputed tender.
The exchanges continued throughout April, with Matlala forwarding a news report about his alleged tender fraud to Senona, followed by calls and messages that X believed were tied to damage control efforts.
Senona later sent Matlala another media article reporting that Hawks head Godfrey Mkhwanazi would not seek reappointment, an apparent attempt to reassure Matlala of protection within SAPS leadership.
Another WhatsApp exchange revealed by X added to the intrigue.
On 14 April, Matlala reminded Senona to “enquire from our brother about a female who appears to be causing problems”.
The identity of both the “brother” and the woman remains unknown, though Senona replied with a caricature image giving a thumbs-up.
A subsequent screenshot showed a message from Senona to crime intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo asking, “Can I call?”
X said that while there were no visible replies, he had confirmed a conversation took place and that Khumalo “will testify about this when he next appears before the commission”.
Shortly after, inquiry spokesperson Jeremy Michaels announced that proceedings had been delayed for undisclosed reasons, sparking speculation that sensitive evidence might have prompted behind-the-scenes consultations.
When the hearing resumed, evidence leader Adila Hassim played an audio clip of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department chief Julius Mkhwanazi speaking to Matlala after the latter’s driver was arrested for speeding.
In the clip, Mkhwanazi assured Matlala that the driver had been released on bail and would only be fined.
Witness X also alleged that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) had probed claims that Mkhwanazi unlawfully registered private vehicles under the municipality and even fitted Matlala’s cars with blue lights.
“There is further evidence implicating Julius Mkhwanazi in unlawful activity that will be dealt with in camera,” X said.
The commission also examined WhatsApp messages between Matlala and controversial security contractor Calvin Rafadi, who repeatedly requested “petrol” money.
One exchange referred to as “kopa petrol to Mpumalanga” suggested cash handouts to fund travel, possibly linked to procurement lobbying.
Rafadi has yet to respond publicly to the witness’s claims.
Another layer of intrigue emerged when X revealed that Matlala had complained his company was owed R13 million by SAPS, and that he grew increasingly anxious after Mchunu’s cancellation of the health services contract.
According to X, Matlala shared messages purportedly sent by businessman Carrim to Police Minister Mchunu and another associate, Brown Mogotsi, apparently lobbying for payment.
Madlanga closed the session by commending Hassim for her methodical reading of the evidence, saying it saved the commission considerable time.
He confirmed that the commission will not sit on Wednesday but will resume on Thursday morning, when it will either hear arguments about media access or proceed with new evidence “in whatever form”.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the magistrate presiding over crime intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo’s corruption case has recused himself after being subpoenaed by the Madlanga Commission.
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