The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry resumes today with a new witness expected to take the stand following the dramatic conclusion of Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo’s testimony on Wednesday.
Khumalo, who heads the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Crime Intelligence division, wrapped up the second part of his evidence after more than six hours of questioning. He told the commission that the corruption case against him was “retaliation” for investigations that exposed links between organised crime and senior state officials.
The commission, chaired by retired Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in response to allegations that South Africa’s justice system had been “infiltrated by organised criminals.”
The inquiry has since heard extensive testimony from high-ranking police officers, intelligence agents, and whistleblowers about alleged corruption networks within law enforcement.
Khumalo’s appearance this week followed his earlier testimony in September, during which he outlined how the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Operations (GCI Ops) team uncovered the Big 5 drug cartel.
The syndicate has been linked to the 2024 murder of engineer Armand Swart and several assassination attempts tied to figures including Katiso Molefe and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
In his latest session, Khumalo said the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) case against him and five colleagues was meant to silence them. The officers were arrested in June 2025 for allegedly “flouting vetting procedures” to appoint a former BMW employee, Dineo Mokwele, to a brigadier position within Crime Intelligence.
Khumalo maintained that Mokwele’s appointment was legitimate and based on her technical background.
“She qualified in mechatronics and had both mechanical and electronic engineering experience — the kind of expertise we need for covert operations,” he testified.
He added that the appointment process was transparent and properly documented.
However, IDAC accuses Khumalo and his co-accused of manipulating the recruitment process and granting Mokwele security clearance she was not qualified to receive.
The charge sheet alleges that the panel, chaired by Khumalo, “made misrepresentations about candidates’ qualifications and experience” and that Mokwele’s vetting was irregular.
Retired Justice Madlanga pressed Khumalo to confirm whether Mokwele had indeed been appointed “directly from BMW to be a brigadier in the SAPS,” to which he replied, “Yes.”
When asked if that was consistent with SAPS recruitment standards, Khumalo defended the decision, saying:
“This is not the first time an external professional was brought into a specialised policing role.”
The matter has drawn wider political attention, with IDAC head Andrea Johnson expected to testify before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on Thursday. Acting Police Minister Feroz Cachalia said he looked forward to Johnson’s explanation, noting that her evidence would help clarify why Khumalo and his team were arrested.
Meanwhile, the commission confirmed that protection measures have been extended to businessman Brown Mogotsi, who survived a shooting in Vosloorus earlier this week.
Mogotsi is regarded as a key witness in the same corruption network under investigation. Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said Mogotsi was cooperating with investigators and may be called to testify soon.
Thursday’s proceedings are expected to shift focus toward internal corruption within law enforcement procurement and the role of private contractors allegedly linked to police officials.
A new witness, described as “critical to the operational structure of the Big 5 cartel probe,” is expected to testify under protection.
Tune into the Madlanga Commission’s live proceedings below:
NOTE: Live stream will be up shortly before proceedings kick off at 09:30 SAST.
