By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, focused on the so-called Big 5 cartel, a high-level criminal syndicate and drug cartel based primarily in Gauteng.
Chief Evidence leader, Mathew Chaskalson, dealt with WhatsApp exchanges extracted from the late taxi boss Jothan Mswazi Msibi’s phone.
The messages, exchanged between Msibi, suspended sergeant Fannie Nkosi and a cellphone expert known to the commission as Shaun Jacobs, were presented as evidence during the proceedings.
The technology was being sourced from a company based in the Czech Republic, with Nkosi reportedly acting as an intermediary.
Chaskalson, explained that “grabber technology” generally refers to an IMSI catcher, a surveillance device that can mimic a cellphone tower to intercept mobile phone traffic and track the location of devices.
The commission was shown WhatsApp chats that allegedly indicate Nkosi signed contracts with the international company supplying the technology while presenting himself as acting on behalf of SAPS.
Chaskalson suggested that Nkosi’s actions could amount to fraud.
He said those with knowledge of Nkosi’s letter could potentially be implicated, identifying Msibi and Jacobs as two people whose involvement could be established from the evidence.
The commission heard that Nkosi signed the contract using an official SAPS stamp and his force number.
Several others were involved in the grabber matters alongside Msibi. These include Katiso Molefe, who faces a murder charge; Steve Motsumi, a businessman previously mentioned at the Commission.
The commission was also shown WhatsApp exchanges involving Msibi and former Ekurhuleni municipal manager, Imogen Mashazi, including a message in which someone sent Msibi Mashazi’s virtual Outlook contact card.
The evidence relating to Msibi was placed on record amid allegations that he had questionable connections with law enforcement and municipal officials.
Chaskalson also presented WhatsApp chats between businessman, Ze Nxumalo and Msibi, about a pending Ekurhuleni tender.
In the exchanges, Nxumalo asked Msibi whether one of the bidders was being “spoken for” within the bidding panel.
In further messages, Nxumalo told Msibi that they had “locked the trade” and that “she” would receive payment in euros, amounting to just under R1 million.
The commission has also established a possible link between controversial North West businessman, Suliman Carrim and Msibi.
This follows evidence that Carrim’s company, Ziggy Investments, in a joint venture with Transnational Coaches, had financial dealings with companies linked to Msibi.
Msibi, who died in January 2024, is alleged to have been the leader of the so-called Big Five Cartel.
The commission also heard evidence of payments of R700 000 and R1 million made by Transnational Coaches to SANTACO and Tucofin, companies linked to Msibi.
Chaskalson said the evidence appeared to point to a connection between Carrim’s businesses and Msibi, something underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, also raised during his recent testimony.
The connection extending from Msibi to Carnilinx, meanwhile, unravels in different directions; one leads to politics and a murky arena.
During previous Madlanga Commission proceedings, it emerged that Carnilinx director Adriano Mazzotti (who has been open about making donations to the EFF and ANC admitted in 2014 to extensive customs, excise and tax non-compliance.
Another Carnilinx thread leads to embattled senior Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan.
Khan was wounded in a shooting at the end of June, shortly before he was meant to testify at the Madlanga Commission, where several accusations have been levelled against him – one of which is that he is connected to senior Carnilinx executive Mohammadh Sayed.
The startling revelations that have emerged since September, when the Madlanga Commission began, have left people wondering how such things were allowed to happen.
Meanwhile the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that it will seek to formally drop fraud and corruption charges against SAPS Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo and his six co-accused.
Last month, NPA head Andy Mothibi announced the charges against Khumalo and others would be dropped after it was revealed at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that the investigation into the matter was incomplete.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said discussions are ongoing with accused’s legal representation for their earlier appearance in court, to formally drop the charges.
“The IDAC are trying to get the lawyers of the affected people to try and agree to an earlier date sometime this week, but if they are not able to do that and get all of the people or most of the people in court to withdraw it formally, then they will have to stick to the date of 3 September, which was the date set anyway.”
Kganyago said this would depend on whether the lawyers representing the affected parties agree to the earlier date and whether the necessary people are available to appear in court.
If an earlier date cannot be arranged, the matter will proceed on 3 September as initially scheduled.
The NPA also indicated that the withdrawal could proceed for the majority of accused persons who are present in court, even if not all the affected parties are able to attend.