Mkhwanazi names man with alleged links to Mchunu as central to meddling in police cases
On Sunday, Mkhwanazi held a press briefing in Durban, making several damning allegations against high-ranking police officials, including Minister Mchunu.
ALSO READ:• Cameron calls for probe into Mkhwanazi's claims of crime syndicate involving politicians, senior police management
• Tenderpreneur with alleged links to underworld key figure in Mkhwanazi's explosive allegations
• Sibiya dismisses interference claims by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
• ANC notes Mkhwanazi's allegations with grave concern
• Mkhwanazi raises concerns about classified police files being compromised by outsiders
• DA wants urgent debate in Parliament about corruption allegations within the SAPS Brown Mogotsi, a man who is well known among the police's top brass, has allegedly been meddling in police business, pushing for the arrests of Crime Intelligence head, Dumisani Khumalo, and that of KZN top cop, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.During Sunday's briefing, Mkhwanazi claimed that Mogotsi received more than R100,000 from alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, a man who scored an almost R400 million police tender.Matlala was arrested by police in May for his alleged involvement in orchestrating a botched hit on his ex-actress lover, Tebogo Thobejane, in Sandton in 2023.Speaking to EWN, Mogotsi said he was not allowed to comment on Mkhwanazi's allegations following President Cyril Ramaphosa's statement cautioning officials from engaging publicly on the matter.When EWN questioned why the president's order would apply to him, as he is not a police official, Mogotsi hung up the phone.
EWN understands that Mogotsi runs a VIP restaurant and lounge in Mafikeng, in the North West.
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The South African
27 minutes ago
- The South African
Former Deputy President David Mabuza laid to rest
Beneath an unseasonably warm winter sun, the rolling hills of Mpumalanga stood as silent witness as South Africa bid a final farewell to former Deputy President David 'DD' Mabuza on Saturday. Mabuza passed away last week at the age of 64, following a short illness. He was buried at a family burial site in Barberton, Mpumalanga. Delivering the eulogy at Mabuza's funeral service, President Cyril Ramaphosa described the day as a moment of sombre reflection. 'We are gathered here today in solemn remembrance to honour the life of a man who, in many ways, made a huge contribution to our journey to a democratic South Africa. We are also here to celebrate the life of a fine son of Mpumalanga and a man of the people. 'It is as a servant of the people for which our departed leader and comrade David Dabede Mabuza will be best known and for which he will be forever remembered. David Mabuza, DD, as he was fondly known, was a revered leader not only in his home province of Mpumalanga but throughout the country as well,' he said. The Mpumalanga-born politician – affectionately referred to as 'DD' or 'The Cat' – was a teacher by training. However, he was drawn into political activism and, subsequently, the public service. Mabuza's journey into the public service began in 1994 in Mpumalanga, where he served as a Member of the Executive Council in several portfolios. He then served as the Premier of Mpumalanga from 2009 until he became a Member of Parliament and then Deputy President in 2018. 'He served as our country's Deputy President, as Premier of Mpumalanga and as the Deputy President of his movement, the African National Congress (ANC). 'When he served as a Member of Parliament and as the Leader of Government Business, he proved to be a renowned political strategist, always deftly navigating the very difficult balance amongst parliamentary parties. 'In all his roles, he was often described as strategic, enigmatic and fiercely loyal to the cause of stability and unity,' President Ramaphosa said. As President Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy, a multitude of citizens lined the streets of Mbombela – forming a guard of honour for the former Deputy President as he was taken to his final resting place among the people of Mpumalanga. 'He was most happy when he was among the people. He never isolated himself from them. He never lost the common touch. 'Since the news came of his passing, we have seen throngs of ordinary citizens, traditional leaders and political leaders from across the spectrum flocking to DD's home in Barberton to pay their respects. Such was his popularity. Such was his ability to unite the people of this province. 'He was not a man for the pomp and ceremony of high office. He preferred to be on the ground with the masses of our people, listening to their concerns and working to improve their lives,' President Ramaphosa noted. He highlighted that Mabuza leaves a legacy of 'being quick to respond to matters of service delivery'. 'Over the past days, we have heard from a number of young citizens of Mpumalanga, who have described him as a father of the community, who helped bring development to many rural parts of Mpumalanga. 'Today in this province, there are families who now live in decent homes because during door-to-door campaigns, DD intervened on the spot and at some point, dug into his own pockets to meet their needs. Those houses were not built after years of follow-up meetings. They were erected within months because he was not one to make empty promises,' he said. President Ramaphosa reflected on the five years he and Mabuza spent as President and Deputy President of South Africa. '[During] this time, I came to know him as a person who understood the responsibility that he had been given. He was dependable, reliable and an excellent deputy. 'As Leader of Government Business in Parliament, he worked to ensure that the will of the people was reflected in the laws of the land and in the programmes of the state. 'In all his responsibilities as Deputy President, from land reform to HIV and AIDS, from anti-poverty initiatives to addressing the needs of veterans, David Mabuza could always be relied on. We will always remember him as a unifier,' he said. The President offered words of solace and comfort to the family and gave a final word to the departed man himself. 'You walked the path not always lit, through the dust of doubt, you did commit. I worked with you and saw your commitment. Your voice was not loud, but it was firm and still. You were able to shape the course with quiet will. 'I saw you bear the weight of province and land, with measured step and steady hand. Though storms did gather, and winds did sway, you held the centre night and day. Now rest, my brother, brave son of the African soil. Your work is done and complete. The country remembers you,' President Ramaphosa concluded. Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Daily Maverick
3 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Mkhwanazi's smoking guns: How two firearms could expose SA's colluding cops, a drug cartel and high-profile murders
A ballistic report allegedly linking an AK-47 and a pistol to a Transnet corruption cover-up murder, and the shootings of high-profile public figures, add weight to the KZN police commissioner's claims of a criminal octopus with tentacles reaching deep into key institutions – including law enforcement itself. An AK-47, a pistol and a deadly attempt to cover up Transnet tender corruption. This is what may lead to arrests for the shootings of several high-profile artists in Gauteng over roughly four years, and the exposure of alleged top-tier state involvement in deep-rooted organised crime in South Africa. Certain police officers say the AK-47 and the pistol are linked to the April 2024 killing in Vereeniging of engineer Armand Swart, who was shot after the company he worked for unearthed corruption related to Transnet and tenders. The guns are allegedly also linked to the shootings of several artists and may shed light on the killings of Oupa John Sefoka, better known as DJ Sumbody, and his apparent bodyguard, who went by the name of Wolter Sbusiso. Both were shot in Johannesburg in November 2022. Sefoka and Sbusiso's murders edge close to suspicions of gangsterism, drug trafficking, state corruption, extortion rackets and criminal networks embedded in private security companies and nightclubs. It appears Sbusiso once worked for a security company founded by arrested businessperson Vusi 'Cat' Matlala. Last year, Matlala was awarded a R360-million police contract that has since been terminated. News24 reported that whistle-blower Babita Deokaran, who was murdered in August 2021, had flagged Matlala over contracts linked to Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng. Last Sunday, 6 July, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that Matlala was financially supporting Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's 'political endeavours'. Mchunu has since denied knowing Matlala or receiving anything from him. 'Unprecedented' scandal Apart from those accusations, Mkhwanazi alleged during the press conference in Durban that a high-level criminal syndicate was operating in South Africa. He said it extended into the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Police Ministry, Parliament, prison officials, the judiciary and other law-enforcement authorities. Mkhwanazi, whose security has been beefed up since he made his allegations, also said that a 'drug cartel' headquartered in Gauteng was ultimately controlling the syndicate. If true, it means an internationally operating cartel, with ties to the state and the private sector, is based in the province that also houses South Africa's administrative capital, Pretoria. The unfolding crisis threatens to derail key policing operations and expose even deeper layers of corruption. It could also have an effect on political power. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who seems to back Mkhwanazi, described the scandal as 'unprecedented' this week and said it struck at the heart of the police. President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to intervene. Bullets and ballistics So far, the saga involves high-level claims, counterclaims and smear campaign accusations – elements often used to conceal state-embedded organised crime. What cannot be refuted, however, is the body count that criminals in such circles produce, often by way of shootings. This is also where Mkhwanazi appears to be in possession of hard evidence. During his press briefing, he referred to the 2024 murder of Swart in Vereeniging. According to an earlier SAPS statement, four suspects were accused in the case, including one convicted of drug trafficking in the UK more than two decades ago, as News24 first reported. An arrest warrant was issued last month for a fifth suspect, Lucky Boitumelo Molefe. Mkhwanazi, during his press conference, referred to one of the detained suspects in the case – Tau Pule, a police officer. 'During the arrest, weapons used in the murder – an AK-47 and a pistol – along with cellphones, were confiscated,' Mkhwanazi said. A ballistics expert from the Political Killings Task Team, created in 2018, examined the firearms. Mkhwanazi said that on 30 December last year, the expert issued a ballistics report 'which linked these firearms with a number of high-profile cases – including [the shooting of] high-profile South African artists – which occurred in Gauteng dating as far back as 2021'. He did not name the artists, but he said suspects in the cases were known and decisions to prosecute them needed to be made. He also alleged that the day after the crucial ballistics report was issued, 31 December 2024, Mchunu sent out a directive to freeze the filling of vacancies in the Crime Intelligence unit and to disband the Political Killings Task Team. The disbanding, Mkhwanazi claimed, was so that Mchunu could shield politically connected members of a criminal syndicate from prosecution. Mchunu has dismissed the allegations. Shootings and 'protection' Mkhwanazi's accusations aside, the facts are that there have indeed been shootings targeting Johannesburg 'artists' – DJs and high-profile figures. For example, actress Tebogo Thobejane was wounded in a shooting in Sandton in October 2023. Among those arrested for her attempted murder is Matlala – whom Mkhwanazi has accused Mchunu of being in cahoots with. Matlala is president of the company CAT VIP Protection, according to its website. It says: 'With over 30 years experience in law enforcement, he founded CAT VIP as there was a need for elite human and asset protection in South Africa.' Aside from Thobejane's shooting, there have been other incidents in Johannesburg, such as the murders of Sefoka – DJ Sumbody – and Sbusiso. They were killed in Johannesburg in November 2022, nearly a year before Thobejane was wounded. Among those who attended Sefoka's funeral was EFF leader Julius Malema. After Mkhwanazi's press conference on Sunday, suspicions and photographs did the rounds suggesting that Sbusiso was linked to CAT VIP Protection. Daily Maverick found photos on Sbusiso's social media profiles, as well as on CAT VIP's Instagram page, showing that Sbusiso probably had worked for the company. A photo dated 2018 shows a man in company attire bearing a strong resemblance to Sbusiso, opening a car door for someone. Another photo on Sbusiso's Instagram page from 2018 shows him in a CAT VIP top, and a 2019 Facebook post shows him standing outside a black car with what appears to be a CAT VIP logo on his T-shirt. The photo is captioned: 'Waiting my principal [sic].' Gangsterism capital Other photos – interspersed with images of liquor, luxury cars, designer clothing and a Rolex watch – show Sbusiso with Sefoka. Entertainment establishments also fit into this matrix, hinting at potential dangers to patrons. Sefoka was known for the Ayepyep Lifestyle brand, which he and his business partner, Kagiso Setsetse, created. It involved two venues – the Ayepyep Lifestyle Lounge in Menlyn, Pretoria, and another in Cape Town's city centre. Daily Maverick previously reported that 28s gang boss accused Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson were involved in Ayepyep Cape Town. The venue was temporarily closed in 2023 after accusations by Setsetse that Stanfield and Johnson, its general manager, were trying to dominate it. Among the accusations Setsetse made, which Stanfield countered with claims of his own, was that Stanfield was involved in handling security at Ayepyep Cape Town. In an affidavit to police, Setsetse also alleged that gangsters targeted the venue and 'terrorised customers' after it opened in 2021. A legal settlement in 2023 led to Setsetse selling his one-third share in the business. Other shares belong to Stanfield's mother-in-law, Barbara Johnson, and to Sefoka's family. If Mkhwanazi's allegation is correct – that the AK-47 and pistol used in the Swart killing are indeed linked to other high-profile murders in Johannesburg – and if Sefoka's shooting is part of this, it merges gang suspicions with the developing policing scandal. Cartel country In the Western Cape, suspicions are rife that there are crooked cops working with gangsters. This, in turn, ties into the drug trade. For a long time, there have been suspicions in policing circles that figures based in Gauteng import narcotics and pump them through South Africa, with a special focus on Western Cape gangs that act as conduits. Specific suspicions involve luxury vehicles and drug consignments being exchanged between the provinces. There are also long-standing beliefs that politicians and individuals with state ties are benefiting from the illicit trade. Mkhwanazi, during his press conference, made allegations in this regard. A presentation he shared said an investigation involving police officers from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng had 'unmasked the syndicate which involves Politicians, Law Enforcement (SAPS, Metro Police & Correctional Services), Prosecutors, Judiciary and controlled by Drug cartel as well as Business People'. Mkhwanazi explained that this alleged cartel was headquartered in Gauteng and importing drugs from South America. The drugs often entered South Africa through Durban harbour. Daily Maverick has previously reported that international traffickers prefer using this port when shipping masses of cocaine into the country. Mkhwanazi said that from Durban, drugs were transported to Gauteng where they were processed and distributed around South Africa as well as beyond the country. The critical Crime Intelligence unit crops up here. Its head, Dumisani Khumalo, and six colleagues were arrested late last month on corruption-related charges, which they deny. Mkhwanazi has implied that they were arrested with the deliberate aim of destroying Crime Intelligence. Khumalo's name previously cropped up in a cocaine scandal linked to a R200-million interception in Johannesburg in July 2021. So, too, did that of Major General Feroz Khan, the head of counterintelligence and security at Crime Intelligence. Daily Maverick previously reported that Khan was accused of defeating the ends of justice and bringing the SAPS into disrepute. This related to his presence at the 2021 cocaine bust, which had involved the arrests of police officers. But Khan, via court processes, has countered that Khumalo had used the cocaine interception to try to get rid of him because of his investigations into the abuse of secret funds, with possible links to Khumalo. Police bosses denied that Khan was being targeted for dubious reasons. According to police, the cocaine at the centre of that scandal had come from Brazil, arrived in KwaZulu-Natal and been transported to Gauteng. It was not the only consignment to move from one province to the next. This is the same route that Mkhwanazi said the alleged cartel, with ties to various state authorities and headquartered in Gauteng, was using. Further backing his assertions is what happened in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal, in 2021. Between the weekend of 5 and 8 November that year, the Hawks offices there were burgled and cocaine worth R200-million was stolen. A Hawks statement released afterwards said: 'The suspects gained entry into the building by forcing open the windows. One of the safes in the office, which were used to store exhibits, was tampered with.' Widely viewed as an inside job, the theft supports Mkhwanazi's claim that corrupt police are involved in drug trafficking. DM
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
'Timing is inappropriate': Mogotsi on Mkhwanazi's claims
Businessman Brown Mogotsi rejected explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, calling the allegations poorly timed and baseless. Speaking exclusively to SABC News , Mogotsi, whom Police Minister Senzo Mchunu described as a 'comrade', dismissed any wrongdoing. Mogotsi criticised Mkhwanazi's press briefing and said, 'The timing is very inappropriate.' He said, 'I sent him a message last year, but only after the arrest of five generals and some brigadiers did he call a press conference.' Mogotsi said he was not a police officer and added cryptically, 'With my underground experience or underground operations. I'll be able to share on the right platform who Brown Mogotsi is.' Mkhwanazi had named Mogotsi as being central to alleged political interference and the controversial disbandment of the KZN Political Killings Task Team. The police commissioner also accused Minister Mchunu of unauthorised interference and maintaining links with criminal syndicates. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
