By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating corruption, political interference, and criminality within the criminal justice system, has been probing what now appears to be a botched drug trafficking operation involving police officials who colluded with a cartel to smuggle drugs into the country.
It heard that among the suspected police officials involved were CIMAC commander, Marumo Magane, Samuel Mashaba, and K-9 unit officer, Steve Phakula.
The trio were acting on information received from Tumelo Nku, who is said to have monitored the operation from a distance near the scene.
However in the earlier testimony, the witness, who resumed his in-camera testimony on Wednesday, Witness I has so far outlined his version of events surrounding the controversial July 2021 Aeroton drug-bust, as well as alleged links between some officials and controversial figures.
In a startling revelation, Witness I told the commission that a colleague warned him of an alleged plot to discredit him by exposing a purported relationship with alleged underworld kingpin, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
In an effort to clear his name, Witness I testified that he stayed at Matlala’s family home in Mamelodi for two years from 2023, saying this followed an attempt assassination at his residence in September 2023.
He further testified that after spending a week in hospital, his firearm was recovered and he later learned the attack was allegedly a contract hit.
Witness I said, he still does not know who may have orchestrated the attack and that he temporarily relocated with his family for their safety.
He told the commission that his captain, Faleni Zungu, arranged for him to stay at the Mamelodi property, insisting he was initially unaware that it belonged to Matlala’s family, He added that he only met Matlala later, in the presence of Zungu and Brigadier, Lesiba Mokoena.
Witness I further testified that the Hawks’ intelligence-driven sub-section, the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) has been effectively dismantled, blaming Lieutenant-General. Patrick Mbotho and Mokoena, for its decline.
He said TOMS members are now largely used for escort services within DCPI operations despite not being compensated for overtime work.
He further claimed members are required to surrender tactical equipment at the end of shifts, with gear stored at the office – a practice he criticised, as hindering rapid operational matters.
He placed the blame squarely on Mbotho and Mokoena.
The Commission has adjourned after Gauteng traffic police chief Mashaba completed reading his witness statement.
Over the past few weeks, the commission has heard evidence suggesting Mashaba was on the scene of a 2021 drug bust in the south of Johannesburg, where more than 700 kilograms of cocaine were seized.
Evidence before the commission suggests that Mashaba and an informant tracked the major cocaine shipment from Durban to Johannesburg after receiving a tip-off.
In July 2021, Mashaba received a tip-off about a massive drug consignment that was later intercepted in Aeroton, south of Johannesburg.
Mashaba had requested to testify partly in camera today, citing health concerns, but the application was dismissed by the commission.
“It sounds to us that you can speak and you speak well based on what we heard during your application. For those brief reasons, we refuse your application,” said the commission’s chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
The inquiry will resume tomorrow, with Mashaba expected to face questioning from evidence leaders and the commissioners.
Meanwhile the South African Revenue Service (SARS) working with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) secured the seizure of 30 bricks of cocaine at the Port of Durban.
The interception on the KwaZulu-Natal coast follows closely on the heels of another major seizure just three days earlier, where about 90 kg of cocaine concealed in excavators from Brazil was intercepted at the same port. These operations point to intensified efforts by organised crime syndicates to move narcotics through South Africa’s trade gateways, matched by a coordinated and firm response from law enforcement.
The interception forms part of ongoing collaborative efforts between SARS and other international law enforcement agencies to combat illicit trade and transnational organized crime. Through intelligence-led risk profiling and targeting methodologies, a container vessel originating from South America was identified for inspection upon arrival at the Durban Harbour.
The Durban Customs team embarked on the vessel, located the container which was below waterline and during the inspection process Customs identified certain parts of the container apparatus were manipulated. This resulted in a more intrusive inspection leading to the detection of concealed narcotics and with a mobile test kit confirming it to be 30 bricks of pure cocaine.
The consignments were identified through intelligence-led profiling and risk assessment by SARS Customs officers. Targeted inspections, supported by detector dogs and on-site verification, resulted in the detection and recovery of the concealed drugs. SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu and Acting National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Sphesihle Nkosi, highlighted the strength of coordinated enforcement across agencies.
“This is what it means to act as one government. SARS and the Hawks are cooperating with one acting on the information and handing over to the Hawks in the one value chain. These interceptions show that we are disrupting and closing down the space for criminal networks to operate. We are strengthening monitoring at our ports through improved cargo profiling and targeted inspections. Our message is clear, South Africa’s borders are not open to illicit trade,” said Dr Makhubu.
“Drugs are destroying families, communities and the country as a whole. This is not a localised problem; it cuts across every sector of society. We will continue to act with our partners to dismantle these networks and protect our economy and our people, “Dr Makhubu added.
Lieutenant General Nkosi said the results point to focused cooperation between agencies. “These successes are the result of disciplined cooperation. When we pool our capabilities, we are better able to detect, intercept and investigate complex criminal operations. Drug trafficking is not only a law enforcement issue; it is a national threat. It fuels violence, weakens communities and harms our children.”
“We will pursue those responsible wherever they operate, both locally and across borders, and hold them accountable. Law enforcement is working as a single front to tighten our response. Those who traffic drugs into this country will be identified, tracked and acted against.”
SARS and its law enforcement partners will continue to strengthen controls at ports of entry. The recent seizures form part of a broader effort to dismantle organised criminal networks and protect legitimate trade, concluded Dr Makhubu.