Tau

Sergeant Tshukudu says the conversation about bail took place before Tau was escorted for bail, which had not yet happened at that time, creating a major difference in statements with Brigadier Nkhwashu.

“according to him, it is taking place before Tau is escorted for his bail ... according to Sergeant Tshukudu, nobody has been escorted for bail ... That is really my focus and this is a major difference ... one of you is not telling the truth.”

Brigadier Nkhwashu disputes that he informed Sergeant Tshukudu that Warrant Officer Tau was granted bail.

“No.”

Brigadier Nkhwashu never mentioned to Sergeant Tshukudu that the family should thank Witness B for granting bail to Warrant Officer Tau.

“No.”

Witness B is not the person who granted bail to Warrant Officer Tau, but the court did.

“But the court .”

Witness B said she would oppose bail (as per last sentence of paragraph 4), but this feedback was before the magistrate hearing; after bail was granted, Witness B reacted to the gratitude expressed by the family.

“The first update is the last sentence of paragraph 4, where Tshukudu comes back and says the state is opposing bail... Witness B reacts to the gratitude being extended to her, that thank you for ensuring that Tau got bail. Witness B then says I had nothing to do with it. That was the decision of the Magistrate.”

Brigadier Nkhwashu acknowledges that bail was opposed at the first court appearance as it was a Schedule 6 offence, and he knew this fact.

“So in the first appearance , obviously it is a schedule 6 offence. The bail was opposed. The bail should be opposed and it was opposed, and definitely I know that.”

Maj-Gen Mbuso Khumalo provided ongoing oversight of the investigation docket related to Mr. Tau from around 20 August 2024, including safety guidance and arranging meetings with investigative teams.

“... after Tau was granted bail, the detectives sought assistance from Maj-Gen Mbuso Khumalo, and ... then met with Maj-Gen Khumalo who provided him with a detailed account of the investigation ...”

Witness A states on 6 December 2024 a manhunt for Lucky Molefe began and that on 7 December Colonel Mokoena called to ask why Molefe's arrest had not been reported to him, despite instructions not to report details of the murder case to anyone else.

“I left Pretoria Central Police Station to assist the team who were on an active manhunt to find Lucky Molefe... On 7 December 2024... I received a call from Colonel Mokoena who asked why I had not reported the arrest of Molefe ... because Brigadier Gopane instructed shortly after Tau, Kekana and Mabusela's first appearance on 19 April 2024 not to report to anyone other than her regarding the murder case.”

Brigadier Nkhwashu, Deputy District Commissioner Sedibeng and Acting District Commissioner had asked Sergeant Shukuru to ask Lt. Gen. Shibiri not to oppose bail of Mr Tau on a new facts application.

“Sergeant Shukuru approached me to ask about the Vereeniging murder investigation ... Brigadier Nkhwashu, the Deputy District Commissioner ... had asked him to ask me not to oppose the bail application of Mr Tau ... this is not a new bail application but a further application on new facts and we had already opposed the bail”

LT-GEN Shibiri denies knowing Tau or having any interest in Tau's bail or case, stating his interest was in the investigator's safety and case progress.

“I do not know Tau and I did not have interest in Tau bail or getting bail or whatever. What I had interest was the investigators being safe and the case going forward.”