Witness B has revealed that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer, Johannes Mokgatle, falsely reported sick from work, only to be found at the controversial businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe’s residence during his arrest. 

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday, Witness B said the officer’s covert presence at the scene has raised serious questions of interference and internal misconduct within the JMPD.

According to the witness, Mokgatle’s claim of being unwell and resting at home was a blatant lie.

Investigations later uncovered that instead of recuperating, Mokgatle actively appeared during the police operation to confront investigators in a bid to disrupt the high-profile arrest mission.

His presence at the scene was unauthorised and viewed by law enforcement as deliberate obstruction.

“At the time, I was present, and I learned that the team encountered an individual who later identified himself as a JMPD officer,” the witness testified.

 “Subsequent investigations confirmed he was off duty, having reported sick earlier, yet he engaged officers as if on active duty.”

Further inquiry revealed that Mokgatle had misled his superiors, who had instructed him to rest after reporting sick.

Instead, he showed up at Molefe’s home and interfered with the arrest operation. As a result, Mokgatle has been suspended from all active duties within the JMPD’s K9 Unit pending further investigation.

The arrest attempt targeted Molefe and his nephew, Lucky Molefe, with a carefully coordinated plan to apprehend the nephew at his Johannesburg workplace and KT Molefe simultaneously at his residence.

However, only KT Molefe was successfully arrested after Lucky Molefe reportedly received a tip-off and failed to report to work, remaining at large.

Witness B highlighted the importance of simultaneous arrests to prevent leaks within the ranks, describing the scene at Molefe’s house as rife with obstruction.

“Other police officials questioned our presence, and we observed interference already underway when we arrived. A helicopter was also seen hovering over the property during the operation,” the witness added.

The witness has concluded her two-day testimony. The commission will hear testimony from Witness C on Friday.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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