By Johnathan Paoli
South African Police Services (SAPS) Crime Intelligence boss, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, on Tuesday continued his testimony before the Madlanga Commission with analysis of WhatsApp communications extracted from the phone of tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Led by evidence leader and senior counsel Adila Hassim, Khumalo started his testimony highlighting the nexus between organised crime, political influence, and SAPS operational matters — the same issues that KwaZulu-Natal police chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and national police commissioner Fannie Masemola had also testified about.
“The chat conversation provides critical insights into potential misconduct and the manner in which operational and political issues were being coordinated,” Khumalo told the commission.
He said that his testimony would focus on six core themes drawn from conversations between Matlala and businessman Brown Mogotsi, who is an associate of former police minister, Senzo Mchunu.
Mchunu was placed on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July when Mkhwanazi alleged that he had ties to the criminal underworld and had disbanded the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) – without having the authority to do so — because it was closing in on those links.
Khumalo said the six core themes were the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID); payments to politicians and third parties; tender protection activities; the disbandment of the PKTT; links to senior SAPS officials; and access to government ministers.
The messages, examined by the commission, were from 18 – 27 December 2024 and included multimedia evidence, such as videos showing heavily armed police members arriving at Matlala’s Menlyn Capital premises in Pretoria for a Firearms Control Act compliance inspection.
Khumalo said that Matlala, who at times used an Eswatini ID under the surname Dlamini, communicated with Mogotsi about both operational and financial matters within SAPS.
The texts revealed coordination around court proceedings concerning the return of firearms seized during a 6 December raid.
A recurring theme involved payments to third parties, notably Gothle Specialists. On 25 December, messages discussed a 25% deposit of R37,000 from a total of R148,000, linked to travel and accommodation arrangements.
Khumalo highlighted the separation of these financial discussions from operational coordination, suggesting potential political kickbacks.
Further WhatsApp exchanges referred to tender protection, with Matlala consulting Brigadier Mokwana of SAPS Internal Audit regarding a R360 million SAPS tender.
Communications implied attempts to influence tender outcomes and offered support to Minister Mchunu, with Matlala stating he was willing to “help” the minister with unspecified matters.
The messages included proof-of-payment verifications, banking issues, and references to Gotle Travel, a travel agency repeatedly mentioned in financial arrangements.
Khumalo emphasised the operational risks surrounding Matlala’s business, noting that armed escorts were required during compliance inspections due to threat levels.
On Monday, Khumalo revealed that Gauteng counterintelligence operations had identified key individuals at the helm of a syndicate dubbed the “Big Five.” Members include Katiso “KT” Molefe and Matlala.
The group is alleged to be involved in drug trafficking, hijackings, kidnappings, assassinations, and tender fraud.
Khumalo said the syndicate had infiltrated both the police and political structures, rendering it a sophisticated and powerful criminal network.
When probed by Commission Chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga about the existence of other cartels, Khumalo indicated that his testimony would only focus on the Big Five.
“For the purpose of the commission and my affidavit, the only reference will be made to this Big Five cartel,” he said.
On Monday, the Special Investigating Unit named Matlala as one of several beneficiaries of illegally obtained tenders at Tembisa Hospital in an extraction scheme that cost taxpayers R2 billion overall.
Matlala is currently in jail awaiting trial for the attempted murder of his former girlfriend.
Khumalo was arrested earlier this year, along with six colleagues, on fraud and corruption charges relating to the promotion of an unqualified civilian within SAPS. He was released on R10 000 bail. Mkhwanazi has alleged that Khumalo’s arrest was intended to damage his credibility because he was uncovering the web of underworld links in SAPS.
Khumalo’s testimony continues.
INSIDE POLITICS
[SRC] https://insidepolitic.co.za/khumalo-lays-bare-whatsapp-trail-linking-politicians-tenders-and-cartels-for-madlanga-commission/
