Former South African Police Service (SAPS) crime intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo is back on the witness stand at the Madlanga Commission this morning, continuing testimony that began on Monday with sharp allegations about organised crime and its alleged ties to senior police and political figures.
According to Daily Maverick, Khumalo spent much of his first day explaining the now-disbanded Political Killings Task Team, a special SAPS unit that investigated politically motivated murders.
He argued that the team had been highly effective, pointing to solved cases and reduced incidents of such killings.
Khumalo questioned why then-Police Minister Senzo Mchunu ordered the team’s sudden closure on 31 December 2024 .
In the later part of Monday’s session, Khumalo turned to the “Big Five” cartel, a Gauteng-based criminal group allegedly run by five leaders, including accused hitman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
He described the cartel as mainly focused on drug trafficking but also involved in other crimes such as contract killings, extortion, and tender fraud.
He alleged the group had “infiltrated the top ranks of the police, politicians and business leaders,” claiming this allowed them to obstruct investigations .
Dumisani Khumalo told the commission that Matlala’s arrest in May 2025 revealed WhatsApp messages between him and senior figures in law enforcement and politics.
He claimed the chats showed that businessman Brown Mogotsi, described as a political ally of former Minister Mchunu, received money from Matlala in exchange for sensitive police information.
Khumalo alleged that Mogotsi pushed for the disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team, mistakenly believing it was investigating Matlala .
The commission also heard that the “Big Five” cartel allegedly uses private security companies as a way to gain legal access to firearms.
Khumalo explained that these businesses give criminals a cover of legitimacy, while also ensuring access to weapons that can then be used for criminal activity .
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who chairs the commission, asked Khumalo whether he would name other cartels beyond the “Big Five.” Khumalo responded that, for the purposes of the commission, he would focus only on that cartel.
He also confirmed that he has evidence he cannot present publicly because it could endanger informants and compromise ongoing investigations. He requested to give this part of his testimony in camera, meaning behind closed doors .
Khumalo’s testimony continues today from 09:30 ( SAST). His return is expected to expand on the links he has alleged between organised crime, police operations, and political structures.
