For the first time since the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry began its work on September 17, the Commission was presented with “quite” large files of evidence on Monday.

This was a remark by Commission chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga during the testimony of Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, SAPS divisional commissioner of crime intelligence at the Commission tasked with uncovering the truth behind alleged corruption, political interference, and criminality in the criminal justice system.

Khumalo, who heads the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), took the stand to shed light on alleged corruption within the police force, emphasising that serious threats to police operations originate internally, allowing external threats to infiltrate the SAPS.

As Khumalo took his sworn statement, Madlanga noted the substantial files presented, describing them as “quite a lot of clutter in front of us” – not in a negative sense. 

Evidence leader Advocate Adila Hassim SC specified that File One, marked WB1 and WB2, would be the primary documents used for Monday proceedings.

Seated alongside two sign language interpreters and a video operator, Khumalo gave a historical background about the formation of the task team, which was established at the time when political killings in KwaZulu-Natal were increasing in 2018.

Khumalo identified businessmen Katiso “KT” Molefe and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala as two of the leaders of the notorious Big Five cartel, accused of infiltrating South Africa’s criminal justice system and the political sphere.

According to Khumalo, the investigation into the other three alleged leaders is ongoing, which is why their names have not been disclosed.

He described the structure of criminal cartels, highlighting that they typically have a leader supported by a core leadership team. 

These cartels operate through syndicates, which are smaller units consisting of at least 10 members. 

The main activities of these syndicates include drug trafficking, cross-border vehicle hijacking, tender fraud and extortion related to drug trafficking.

Khumalo testified that the communication retrieved from Matlala’s records indicates that Matlala or his employees made direct payments to North West businessman Brown Mogotsi. 

Mogotsi was said to be a close associate of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who initially denied knowing Mogotsi during a parliamentary hearing in March.

However, he later reversed his stance, admitting to knowing Mogotsi as a “comrade”.

Khumalo said the payments by Matlala or his employees were sometimes related to expenses for ANC events, which appear to have benefited Mchunu through his chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde. 

Khumalo said: “In return Mogotsi uses his influence within the SAPS and the ministry to manipulate SAPS processes so as to frustrate criminal investigations into Vusimuzi Matlala.”

He testified that Mogotsi allegedly leaked highly confidential and classified SAPS information to Matlala. 

Furthermore, Mogotsi purportedly coordinated payments from SAPS to Medicare 24 Tshwane District, a company owned by Matlala, which was awarded a R360 million contract for health services without proper justification. 

According to Khumalo, Mogotsi made an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the SAPS from cancelling its contract with Medicare 24 Tshwane district.

He also told the commission that Mogotsi, seemingly misinformed about the investigation into Matlala, believed the PKTT was handling the case when, in fact, it was being conducted by Gauteng counter-intelligence operations. 

He cited Mogotsi’s pursuit of disciplinary action against him (Khumalo), including a questionable attempt to use a December 2024 Constitutional Court judgment to discipline him for a case involving a different individual with the same surname, Khumalo.

“Mogotsi purports to have been acting in this regard with the support of the Minister of Police as well as his chief of staff Nkabinde and General Shadrack Sibiya,” Khumalo said.

He alleged that KwaZulu-Natal’s Major General Lesetja Senona is involved in similar activities as Mogotsi, by leaking SAPS documents to Matlala. 

Additionally, businessman Suliman Carrim and crime experts Calvin Rafadi seem to be receiving payments from Matlala for accessing senior SAPS members and furthering Matlala’s goals, which include leaking sensitive SAPS documents, according to Khumalo.

Alongside Matlala’s influence on the affairs of the SAPS he has a relationship with acting Ekurhuleni Metro Police department (EMPD) chief Julius Mkhwanazi, which involves the abuse of EMPD for the benefit of Matlala.

KwaZulu-Natal SAPS commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi recently told the commission that Julius Mkhwanazi allegedly helped Matlala register his private vehicles under the municipality, making them appear as municipal vehicles, using Ekurhuleni’s funds.

“What the chats demonstrate is that organised crime has managed to infiltrate organised crime and EMPD at the very highest level,” Khumalo said.

Khumalo will continue with his testimony on Tuesday.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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