The Madlanga Commission resumes its hearings today, 27 October 2025, following a dramatic end to last week’s session that saw Witness C deliver testimony linking top police officials to a R1.2 billion South African Police Service (SAPS) tender.
The commission, chaired by Justice Mandisa Madlanga, is expected to continue examining allegations of corruption and obstruction of justice within the police service.
On Friday, Witness C — an investigator from the Political Killings Task Team — testified on Friday in a partially closed session, where his voice was broadcast but his face concealed for security reasons.
He described extensive interference from senior officers during investigations into political murders and kidnapping cases connected to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala .
Witness C detailed how, after being deployed to assist the Gauteng Counterintelligence Operations team in 2024, he uncovered obstruction from within the police hierarchy.
He also described raids on Matlala’s Centurion property, where investigators found firearms, torn white sheets that matched ransom footage, and employees identifying themselves as members of “CAT VIP Protection.”
The firearms were seized after it was discovered that their permits had been digitally signed, which is prohibited under the Firearms Control Act.
During his testimony, Witness C claimed that Matlala had close relationships with several high-ranking officials, including Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, counterintelligence head Feroz Khan, and organised crime head Richard Shibiri.
He also said Matlala mentioned his connection to KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss Lesetja Senona and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
According to the testimony, Matlala claimed that Generals Sibiya and Senona assisted him in securing the multimillion-rand SAPS tender.
Matlala allegedly told investigators that after each payment from SAPS, he would transfer funds to General Sibiya through an intermediary — Sergeant F. Nkosi — who worked at SAPS Detective Services.
Witness C also testified that Matlala showed proof of these transactions, including an ABSA account number linked to Nkosi, and claimed to have delivered cash packages to him personally.
Further evidence presented suggested that Matlala attempted to destroy potential evidence. Witness C told the commission that mobile phones seized from Matlala and his wife were later returned after cybercrime experts said the data could not be retrieved.
Matlala later admitted to burning the phones, saying he believed they had been “bugged” by investigators.
Perhaps the most striking part of Witness C’s evidence was his claim that Matlala had been tipped off about the raid on his home, which may have allowed him to relocate kidnapping victim Jerry Boshoga before police arrived.
“My conclusion is that Matlala had ample time to move Jerry Boshoga as he knew we were coming,” he said.
Friday’s session concluded with Witness C outlining a network of related operations across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, including raids on properties belonging to businessmen Katiso Molefe and Lucky Molefe.
The commission is expected to hear further testimony this week from intelligence and forensic officers linked to the investigation .
Proceedings can be streamed live below, with sessions expected to begin at 09:00 SAST.
