By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Hawks head Lesetja Senona has concluded his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing allegations of political interference and corruption within law enforcement.
Senona again denied sharing confidential information with alleged leader of the Big 5 Cartel Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Continuing his testimony, Senona said he had only advised Matlala on the risk assessment of running a security company and referred him to a security expert. Managing absenteeism in his security company and dealing with clients were part of the advice.
He denied being aware of Matlala’s reported involvement in the Tembisa Hospital looting scandal and a R355 million police contract to Medicare. He also denied knowing that Matlala was one of the people exposed by whistleblower Barbita Deokoran before her 2021 murder.
Senona testified that he had never discussed politics with Matlala. Instead, they had spoken about general news in the media. He also denied any knowledge of Matlala being involved in criminal activity.
He also revealed the name of a man who is alleged to be a feared and dangerous character.
Senona, did not want to reveal the names of two people who were mentioned in a WhatsApp message sent to him by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, claiming he feared for his life if he mentioned their names.
Mkhwanazi’s message to Senona centred around a meeting that was arranged between him and Matlala. In the meeting, Mkhwanazi allegedly requested that Matlala provide intel on Deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, and in exchange, he would pause investigations into Matlala by the Political Killing Task Team (PKTT).
Senona revealed that the second person is Steve Motsumi.
Motsumi is believed to be the owner of a private security company based in Bedfordview on the East Rand.
Senona was instructed to read out the unredacted message from Mkhwanazi.
“And I hope he (Matlala) doesn’t mind me exposing him to (Shadrack) Sibiya and Steve Motsumi. I hope he (Matlala) won’t blame me for risking his life because I have to tell the truth about our meeting.”
The Matlala case has become a mirror held up to the SAPS, exposing how blurred lines between personal relationships and professional authority can corrode public trust.
As the Madlanga Commission continues, the unanswered questions now loom larger than ever. Do recordings of that meeting exist? Who is telling the full truth about how it was arranged?