By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The former Deputy District Commissioner of Sedibeng Brigadier Mbangwa “Abby” Nkwashu admitted going to Groenpunt Prison to deliver clothes and food for murder accused Katiso “KT” Molefe.
Nkwashu was testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane.
He has been heavily implicated in serious allegations of misconduct, corruption, and interference at the Commission.
The Commission is investigating criminality and political interference within the criminal justice system in South Africa.
Nkwashu said, his only involvement was assisting his sister by delivering food and clothing to Molefe at in prison on 9 December 2024, following Molefe’s arrest on 6 December 2024.
Molefe was arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of engineer Armand Swart, in April 2024. He was arrested with Joburg Central police officer Sergeant Michael Pule Tau, who is also implicated in Swart’s murder.
Nkhwashu said he met Molefe for the first time in June 2024 during a meeting the late Sazi’s wife, Fundiswa Nyagule, arranged in Alberton for the two to get acquainted.
During their encounter, Molefe allegedly told Nkhwashu that he had a multimillion-rand tender in Machabeng and suggested it could offer a security business opportunity for Nkhwashu as his SAPS retirement approached.
At the tail-end of their conversation, Molefe asked Nkhwashu for assistance with a bail application for his friend, Tau, who had already been arrested.
Nyangule later married Molefe, a relationship Nkhwashu disapproved of, as Molefe was still married to another woman.
He added that if he had wanted to help Molefe secure bail for his friend, he would have approached the magistrate handling the case – something he insists he did not do.
Nkhwashu said, he was embarrassed to be spending the closing stage of his career being linked to criminals.
Nkhwashu, who is due to retire in three months time, added that he has never been involved in any criminal activity during his more than 39-years in the police service.
“I feel very embarrassed to be associated with criminals, but not as a fault of anyone else but myself. I am putting it to the community that I am accountable for, in accordance with the constitution of this country. I am not a criminal, I don’t associate with the so-called cartels.”
He is among individuals identified for investigation in the commission’s interim report. Nkhwashu concluded his testimony by apologizing to the family of Swart and the South Africans.
Meanwhile the Commission has confirmed that the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), is firmly within the inquiry’s legal sights.
The disclosure follows speculation that the commission’s investigators have descended the City of Johannesburg demanding documents akin to how it ran probes into the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD).
The commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said that metro police structures fall squarely inside the commission’s mandate.
“The commission’s inquiry is being conducted within clear terms of reference, which, in addition to the South African Police Service and other national law enforcement agencies, includes municipal police structures,” said Michaels.