By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry investigating the Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System has postponed the testimony of self-proclaimed police informant Tumelo Nku due to security concerns.
Nku was expected to take the stand this morning at the Brigette Mabandla Justice College.
He was expected to answer questions relating to his role in the Aeroton drug consignment, which resulted in cocaine worth approximately 300 million rand being intercepted by police in the south of Johannesburg.
However, at 11:30am, commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga announced that the testimony would not proceed.
“There are security concerns about Mr Nku. We cannot hear his testimony. The hearing of his testimony is being postponed indefinitely.”
“An announcement will be made as to when his testimony will be heard & under what circumstances, “Madlanga said.
Nku has told the commission he’s the one who tipped off police about the drugs; however, evidence before the commission has shown he could have been working with some officers to traffic the drugs.
Madlanga confirmed that proceedings will resume on Friday, 3 July, with evidence leaders expected to hear testimony from senior Crime Intelligence official Feroz Khan in his absence.
Khan had been scheduled to testify on 1 July, but his appearance was placed in limbo after he was shot in an attempted hit in Houghton, Johannesburg, over the weekend.
Meanwhile the commission confirmed the underworld kingpin Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala has been subpoenaed to appear before it next Tuesday, 07 July 2026.
Matlala’s appearance at the commission is expected to be a pivotal moment in the inquiry, with the final report due on 31 August.
At the heart of allegations against Matlala are claims that he ran a criminal syndicate that cultivated relationships with senior police officials and politically connected individuals to influence investigations, secure state contracts and undermine law enforcement operations.