South African Police Service

There are allegations that high-ranking Crime Intelligence, high-ranking South African Police Service (SAPS), and high-ranking political individuals allegedly misappropriated money from SAPS and the State Security Agency (SSA).

“It is high-ranking Crime Intelligence, high-ranking SAPS, high-ranking political individuals that were alleged to have fleeted money from SAPS and SSA.”

General Matlou advised General Masemola to consider terminating the contract with Medicare to prevent irreparable financial harm to SAPS, and General Masemola accepted the advice and terminated the contract.

“she then advised General Masemola to consider terminating the contract with Medicare to save SAPS from irreparable harm and to diminish the financial prejudices suffered by SAPS. Then she says General Masemola terminated. So General Masemola accepted the advice.”

Members of SAPS Supply Chain Management colluded with Mr Matlala's company in relation to the conclusion of the contract and purchase orders.

“some members of SAPS in Supply Chain were colluding with Mr Matlala's company and as a result, this contract was concluded. They were also colluding in relation to the issue of, I think it is in charge 3, of the orders, of the purchase orders”

Charge 3 against General Masemola alleging gross negligence for failing as SAPS Accounting Officer to ensure Medicare 24 Tshwane District was tax compliant and screened under Section 38 of the PFMA does not legally or logically apply to the Accounting Officer, as tax screening duties lie with the bid evaluation committee and state tax obligations refer to the institution itself.

“Amongst others. It does not make sense.”

Advocate Baloyi SC asserted that section 38(1)(e) of the PFMA relates to SAPS's own tax compliance rather than the tax compliance of service providers or Mr Matlala's company, raising suspicion about the motive behind IDAC's charges against the National Commissioner.

“So it is charges like that, a count like that, that reference to section 38 as one of the charges against him that feeds the suspicion that I have about the motive of putting these charges and me saying that lawyers could never have missed that that section 38(1)(e) has nothing to do with his involvement with the tax compliance of Mr Matlala's company. It has to do with SAPS' own tax compliance.”

Advocate Sello SC asserted that under section 38(1)(a)(iii) of the PFMA, General Masemola's legal obligation as Accounting Officer is to ensure SAPS maintains an appropriate, fair, and competitive procurement system under section 217 of the Constitution.

“Section 38 of the PFMA prescribes that: “The Accounting Officer for a department, trading entity or constitutional institution - (a) must ensure that the department, trading entity or constitutional institution has and maintains …” And I will go to (iii): “… an appropriate procurement and provisioning system which is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective.” On a reading of that you would agree with me that that is the responsibility that General Masemola bears.”

Mr Matlala attempted to challenge the termination of the Medicare 24 contract in court or engaged in discussions with SAPS members challenging what he termed an unlawful termination.

“Mr Matlala attempted to go to court or there was discussion between him and other members of SAPS to challenge what he termed the unlawful termination of the contract.”

Advocate Khumalo SC asserted that Count 2 against General Masemola incorrectly misapplies section 38(1)(d) of the PFMA, because under section 38(1)(f) SAPS was legally obligated to pay invoices and honor purchase orders while the contract remained active.

“Because if you look at (f), (f) says he must settle all contractual obligations and pay all monies owing. So for as long as the contract was alive, he had an obligation to pay Medicare 24. So (d) deals with something completely different, so breach of (d) is not consistent with count 2, because count 2 is about management of, it is about maintenance and management of assets.”

General Masemola terminated the SAPS contract with Medicare on or about 15 May 2025 following advice from General Matlou, by which time SAPS had suffered approximately R50 million in financial prejudice.

“having advised the National Commissioner to terminate the contract with Medicare to save the SAPS from irreparable harm and to diminish the financial prejudice being suffered by the SAPS, General Masemola ultimately terminated the contract with Medicare on or about the 15th of May. By that time, SAPS had suffered prejudice of approximately 50 million.”

IDAC prosecutors misused bail conditions against General Khumalo to insulate Mr Adams from legitimate arrest or investigation by the PKTT.

“So you are brandishing that condition over General Khumalo to say whatever wrong he commits, you dare not touch him, because he is my witness and if you do, you will be breaching a bail condition.”

SAPS concluded an unlawful contract with Mr Matlala, leaving the ongoing prosecution on a questionable legal basis.

“SAPS seems to have concluded an unlawful contract with Mr Matlala, but the prosecution for that sits on a highly questionable legal basis.”

IDAC's flawed process and faulty section 27 referral created a risk that jeopardized the ongoing prosecution.

“So because of the approach that IDAC has adopted, that running roughshod over everything, there is a serious risk, and I put it no higher than that, that it may have placed in jeopardy the very prosecution that is currently being pursued.”

General Matlou concluded in an internal audit affidavit commissioned on 26 June 2024 that specified SAPS transactions constitute corruption and requested corrective, remedial, and criminal action.

“And at 3817 she concludes: “The abovementioned transactions constitute corruption. On behalf of the South African Police Service, I would like corrective, remedial and criminal action to be instituted in this regard.””

Section 9(1) of SAPS National Instruction 1/2017 prohibits selection panels from being biased, engaging in nepotism or favouritism, abusing authority, or influencing other panel members.

“A selection panel may not be biased and must ensure that the selection process is free of nepotism or favouritism. A panel may never abuse its authority, and panel members may not influence each other to be influenced or to abuse their authority”

Evidence collected shows that SAPS members accused 1 to 6 contravened National Instruction provisions without just or reasonable cause to benefit accused 7.

“Evidence collected proves that accused 1 to 6 … contravened the provisions of the above quoted sections to the benefit … of accused 7; … without just or reasonable cause.”

The charge sheet contains allegations at points 12.12 to 12.14 regarding Mrs Mokwele submitting false CV information, misrepresentations regarding vetting, and abuse of authority under SAPS National Instruction by accused 2 to 6.

“12.12, and that is Mrs Mokwele, submitting false and misleading information in the application and curriculum vitae. 12.13 is misrepresentations made by the accused with regards to the vetting of accused number 7. And 12.14 speaks to accused, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 abusing authority vested in them by disregarding and not complying with SAPS National Instruction.”

Advocates Sello and Khumalo asserted that paragraph 20 of the IDAC prosecution memorandum only invokes section 9 of SAPS National Instruction 11 of 2017 regarding nepotism and favouritism, while making no reference to PRECCA or gratification.

“because your memorandum does not even invoke PRECCA at all. It speaks of no gratification. It speaks of nepotism and favouritism. That is a point I sought to make earlier. That if your memorandum is intended to inform and advise the DPP, the only instrument you invoke at your paragraph 20 is section 9 of the National Instruction 11 of 2017, which you quote verbatim. And that speaks to nepotism and favouritism.”

Advocate Johnson testified that IDAC submits situational reports summarizing charges to SAPS following arrests of police personnel, leaving subsequent employment and disciplinary decisions to police management.

“What IDAC does is we write up, I think the police call it a situational report, after we have an arrest of any SAPS personnel across the board. We just give them a summary of the charges, who was charged, when they appear, and that then goes to the police. It is for the police to decide what steps they are going to take, but we have to put everybody in that was charged, not just one particular person, and then we escalate it to them for further action.”

IDAC sent a situational report/memorandum to the SAPS National Commissioner outlining allegations and charges against individuals, leaving disciplinary or administrative action to the discretion of SAPS.

“O u r s i s m e r e l y t o s u m m a r i s e w h a t t h e a l l e g a t i o n s a r e , w h a t a r e t h e c h a r g e s , a n d t o e s c a l a t e i t t o t h e o ff i c e o f t h e N a t i o n a l C o m m i s s i o n e r.”

Following their arrest, the accused individuals (including General Khumalo) were subject to bail conditions prohibiting them from attending their workplace, and General Khumalo was temporarily reassigned by the National Commissioner until his bail issue was resolved.

“We d o k n o w t h a t t h e r e i s a b a i l c o n d i t i o n t h a t s a y s t h e y m u s t n e v e r g o t o t h e o ff i c e . We d o k n o w f r o m t h e d o c u m e n t s t h a t a r e b e f o r e u s t h a t , i n f a c t , a t l e a s t G e n e r a l K h u m a l o , I d o n o t r e m e m b e r t h e o t h e r s , t h e N a t i o n a l C o m m i s s i o n e r p u t h i m s o m e w h e r e e l s e i n t h e m e a n t i m e , p u t h i m s o m e w h e r e20 e l s e u n t i l t h e i s s u e o f h i s b a i l w a s r e s o l v e d , a n d t h e n h e b r o u g h t h i m b a c k t o h i s s u b s t a n t i v e p o s i t i o n .”

General Masemola and General Mkwanazi allegedly received Louis Vuitton bags from a SAPS supplier.

“dockets in respect of investigations into General Masemola's and General Mkwanaz's alleged receipt of the Louis Vuitton bags from a SAPS supplier.”

The investigation pertains to the unlawful promotion and appointment of personnel within the Division Crime Intelligence of the South African Police Service.

“This investigation pertains to unlawful promotion appointment of personnel within the Division Crime Intelligence of the South African Police Service”

Information received anonymously around early October 2024 alleges fraud and corruption by General Masemola, National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, and other senior SAPS generals.

“On or about early October ’24, I received information anonymously surrounding alleged fraud and corruption perpetrated by General Masemola, National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, and other senior Generals of SAPS.”

In Count 1, an accounting officer of the South African Police Service allegedly failed to comply with PFMA regulations and prevent unauthorized, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure related to a tender awarded to Medicare 24.

“Count 1 says, in your capacity as the accounting officer of the South African Police Services, you unlawfully, wilfully, and in a grossly negligent way failed to comply with the PFMA regulations ... resulting from criminal conduct regarding the tender that was awarded to Medicare 24”

Failing to have security clearance at a specific rank is against internal requirements and does not allow occupying that rank, potentially contravening the Intelligence Services Act and the Standing Order of the SAPS.

“They are all supposed to have security clearances as per their own internal requirements, and that not having security clearance at a specific rank does not allow you to occupy that rank.”

Investigator Rapetsu's statement at paragraph 3 alleges that high-ranking police officials' security clearances and promotions were awarded due to alleged corrupt practices.

“Investigator Rapetsu's statement at paragraph 3 just simply says high-ranking police officials' security clearances and promotions were awarded as a result of alleged corrupt practices”

There is no allegation of wrongdoing by the Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele, in the questionable appointment of General Khumalo as Head of Intelligence within the statements examined by the Commission.

“It does not contain any allegation of wrongdoing by the Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele, being involved in this questionable appointment”

There was an allegation received anonymously around early October 2024 about all alleged crimes emanating from the Division Crime Intelligence of the South African Police Service, including a claim that a forklift was procured without proper procurement processes.

“On or about early October 24, we received information anonymously surrounding all alleged crimes emanating from the Division Crime Intelligence of the South African Police Service... Amongst the information, it was alleged that a forklift was procured by the Division Crime Intelligence without proper procurement processes being followed”

A preparatory investigation was decided to be conducted for fraud and offences involving dishonesty related to activities within the South African Police Service and Crime Intelligence.

“you have decided to conduct a preparatory investigation. Judging by the date, I do not know if this is a different preparatory investigation”

In February 2025, an investigation pertaining to manipulation of security vetting processes causing unlawful issuing of security clearances within Crime Intelligence was noted, though not informed by any prior investigation but assumed to be informed by section 27.

“This investigation pertains to manipulation of security vetting processes, which resulted in the unlawful issuing of security clearances in favour of personnel within the Division Crime Intelligence of the South African Police Service... It is in February... not informed by any investigation... assumption was that it is informed by the section 27”

The Minister's office, on 11 November, communicated that the allegations implicate very senior members of the South African Police Service and reviewed them seriously in relation to case dockets registered under certain CAS numbers.

“The Minister says: “The allegations contained therein implicate very senior members of the South African Police Service and viewed in a serious light, and case dockets were registered as per the following CAS ... ””

The affidavit authorizes suspicion of various offenses including those committed in an organized fashion related to activities of South African Police Service and Crime Intelligence.

“You indicate that you have reason to suspect that the following offenses have been committed, and you list them... They have been committed or are being committed or attempts have or are being made to commit such offenses in an organized fashion by inter alia the persons or entities in the annexure to be the institution of the investigation in terms of section 28(13) of the Act in relation to the activities of South African Police Service and Crime Intelligence and any other entity.”

The Minister's office communicated to Advocate Sello SC on 11 November terms of annexure MK16 about allegations implicating very senior members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a serious light, including case dockets registered with specific CAS numbers.

“That is what was communicated to you by the Minister's office on the 11th of November in terms of annexure MK16.”

The Minister said the allegations in the dockets implicate very senior members of SAPS and these are viewed in a serious light, and case dockets were registered using CAS numbers.

“The Minister says: “The allegations contained therein implicate very senior members of the South African Police Service and viewed in a serious light, and case dockets were registered as per the following CAS ...”

The correspondence from Mr Adams to the Minister implicates very senior SAPS members and suggests these members intercepted the dockets.

“The allegations contained in the correspondence from Mr Adams to the Minister implicate very senior members of the South African Police, and the implication is that they intercepted the dockets.”

Advocate Johnson reads the Minister's statement as indicating that the allegations implicate very senior SAPS members contained in the dockets.

“I read that the allegations contained therein, in these dockets, in the docket implicate very senior members of the South African Police Service.”

Advocate Johnson is not saying the Minister or Mr Nkabinde saw the contents of the dockets, but referred to Mr Adams who is said to have made serious allegations implicating senior SAPS members, with case dockets registered with CAS numbers.

“I am not saying they saw the contents of the dockets. They referred to Mr Adams, and they say the allegations contained by Mr Adams implicate very senior members of the South African Police Service, and are viewed in a serious light, and case dockets were registered as per the following CAS numbers.”

The first and second paragraphs of the Minister's letter sensibly refer to the attached correspondence from Mr Adams that implicates senior SAPS members in serious matters.

“A sensible reading of this first paragraph and the second paragraph is, the 'contained therein' refers or must refer to the attached correspondence. That is a sensible reading, otherwise why does he mention that letter to you?”

The allegations referred to in the Minister's letter about implicating senior SAPS officers are serious and sensitive, and would logically require the Minister to have had a conversation with Mr Adams about the dockets to know their content.

“More importantly and seriously, it works only if you say that the Minister must have had a conversation with Mr Adams about these dockets, to know that matter contained therein, in those dockets, is sensitive and it implicates senior police officers and who are those senior police officers.”

The affidavit suspects offenses committed or attempted in an organized fashion by persons or entities related to South African Police Service and Crime Intelligence.

“"These have been committed or are being committed or attempts have or are being made to commit such offenses in an organized fashion by inter alia the persons or entities in the annexure to be the institution of the investigation in terms of section 28(13) of the Act in relation to the activities of South African Police Services and Crime Intelligence and any other entity."”

The offenses include offenses under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Prevention of Organized Crime Act, National Strategic Intelligence Act, Public Finance Management Act, Financial Intelligence Centre Act, and Police Act involving corruption, money laundering, procurement fraud, vetting issues, secret fund misuse, forgery, fraud, theft, uttering, defeat of justice, connected to Crime Intelligence and SAPS.

“Offenses listed related to the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Prevention of Organized Crime Act, National Strategic Intelligence Act, Public Finance Management Act, Financial Intelligence Centre Act, Police Act and related offenses including money laundering, procurement fraud, forgery, fraud, theft, uttering, obstructing administration of justice related to Crime Intelligence.”

A section 28 summons dated 6 February 2025 required original complete applications for security clearances and vetting files for senior officers of the South African Police Service including Generals Khumalo, Lushaba, Madondo, Ncube, and others.

“section 28 summons dated the 6th of February 2025 ... required original complete applications for security clearances and vetting files ... for the following senior officers of the South African Police Service ... Lieutenant General Khumalo, Lushaba, Madondo, Ncube, Janse van Vuuren ...”

IDAC has allegedly pursued a criminal case against Lieutenant General Khumalo and other Crime Intelligence officials as part of ongoing political interference in the South African Police Service.

“That IDAC has allegedly pursued a criminal case against Lieutenant General Khumalo and other officials at Crime Intelligence in the furtherance of ongoing political interference in SAPS”

Honourable Fadiel Adams made a complaint implicating very senior members of the South African Police Service in relation to the Langlaagte CAS case and others opened between 29 October and 1 November.

“The allegations contained therein implicate very senior members of the South African Police Service and are reviewed in a serious light and CAS dockets were registered as follows . ... one Langlaagte case and three of those Orlando cases that Mr Adams registered between the 29th of October and the 1st of November .”

The police do not do proper investigations and often dismiss complaints as nothing substantial, leading to public frustration with no response over years.

“The police do not do proper investigations. We thought about a link, a lead, follow the lead and see where it takes you... The South African public that write complaints to the police and sit in vain and wait for years, they get no response.”

The complainant suggests the need to collect all SAPS prescriptions and policies about promotions and security vetting processes to determine if there was manipulation or departure from prescribed processes.

“You have to collect all the prescripts and policies of SAPS that relate to promotions and security vetting processes... We must have put up something to say this is how the process should run. And when we look into the facts of this case, this is how the process ran and therefore we suggest manipulation or departure from the prescribed process.”

A letter dated 25 July 2024 from Brigadier Ncube confirms Ms Mokwele submitted an online application on the SAPS e-Vetting system for top security clearance but states her eligibility is pending and not yet finalized.

“This confirmation letter... states that on 25 July 2024, the applicant Ms Mokwele submitted an online application on the South African Police Service, SAPS, e-Vetting system for top clearance security... the top secret security clearance application of Ms Mokwele... eligibility is pending and not yet finalised”

Colonel Brian Padayachee is a retired Colonel of the South African Police Service with 44 years of experience, currently employed as a senior investigator at the National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).

“I am an adult male employed at the National Prosecuting Authority as a senior investigator assigned to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption , IDAC . I am a retired Colonel of the South African SAPS . I have served the SAPS for 38 and a half years ... It is now 44 years of my law enforcement career.”

The summons issued to Colonel Brian Padayachee requires him to respond to allegations about infiltration, capture, exertion of undue influence, and corruption within the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority, and other criminal justice system components by criminal syndicates, politically connected persons, and unlawful actors.

“The summons requires me to appear before the Commission on Monday 13 July 2026 for the purposes of giving evidence and be questioned about the following. Matters arising from the evidence of Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi during his evidence before the Commission on 17, 18 and 19 September whether criminal syndicates, organised criminal groups, politically connected persons or other unlawful actors have infiltrated, captured, exerted undue influence over or otherwise compromised the South African Police, the NPA, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence, Independent Police Investigative Directorate or any other component of the criminal justice system.”

Colonel Padayachee denies the allegations that IDAC pursued a criminal case against Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo and other Crime Intelligence officials as part of ongoing political interference at SAPS, stating that the allegations are baseless and that IDAC has sufficient evidence to sustain the charges.

“I deny these allegations. They are baseless and devoid of merit. The IDAC has sufficient evidence to sustain the charges on the criminal cases against Lieutenant General Khumalo and other officials at Crime Intelligence. This criminal case is currently pending before the Magistrate's Court Pretoria. I deny as baseless any allegations of political interference or hidden agendas in respect of the investigations that are conducted by IDAC against these senior officers within Crime Intelligence and SAPS.”

Mr Bateman received a voice recording and pictures of an affidavit from Brigadier Petle of the South African Police Service in July 2018, and sent this information to Johnson on the same day, 3 July 2018.

“In July 2018 , a voice recording and pictures of an affidavit deposed to by Brigadier Petle of the South African Police Service were sent to me ... I received the information and sent it to Johnson on the same day, 3 July 2018 .”

On 31 January 2025, COL ROELOFSE retired from the South African Police Service and noted that they were unable to secure the appointment of a prosecutor to consider complaints against General Khan and Advocate Johnson, which he considered as defeating the ends of justice.

“On 31 January 2025 , I retired from the South African Police Service . At that stage , we were unable to secure the appointment of a prosecutor to consider both Brigadier Petle criminal complaint against General Khan and the allegations against Advocate Johnson of what I considered to be defeating the ends justice”

Colonel Roe Loofse was a member of the South African Police Service attached to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) and retired on 31 January 2025.

“I was a member of the South African Police Service, SAPS, with the rank of Colonel, attached to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations, commonly known as the DPCI, and also known as the Hawks. I retired on the 31st of January 025.”

Colonel Roe Loofse states there was a 15 year struggle between police and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to get Crime Intelligence matters on the roll, due to interference and impunity.

“So between the police and the NPA, we struggled about 15 years, 12 years to get a Crime Intelligence matter on the roll because of all the interference that we experienced.”

Witness N is an adult female employed by the South African Police Service as a Detective holding the rank of Sergeant, member of the Political Killing Task Team deployed to the Eastern Cape Province, and also a Detective in the KZN Anti-Corruption Unit.

“I am an adult female employed by the South African Police Service as a Detective. I hold the rank of a Sergeant, and I am a member of the Political Killing Task Team deployed to the Eastern Cape Province to investigate matters relating to the University of Fort Hare. In addition to my assignment to the PKTT, I am a Detective in the KZN Anti-Corruption Unit”

Potential conflicts of interest among senior management in the South African Police Service (SAPS) are identified and reported annually by the Public Service Commission, with around 30 cases reported each year.

“In the Parliamentary questions, there is this response where the acting Minister of Police mentions, I believe every year it was around roughly 30 changes, potential conflicts of interest that were reported by the Public Service Commission among the senior management service.”

No full lifestyle audits were escalated for senior management service members within the South African Police Service (SAPS) in past 5 years, only lifestyle reviews and investigations were conducted.

“Based on the lifestyle investigations conducted for senior management service members, no cases escalated to full lifestyle audits during the period under review.”

There is 100% compliance with submission requirements in the South African Police Service.

“We saw 100% compliance in SAPS, for example.”

Mr Vally says, 'Inshallah, we get SAPS deal' on 29 July 2021, indicating an expectation to secure a contract with South African Police Service.

“29 July 2021 at 7.41 in the evening, Mr Vally says: 'Inshallah, we get SAPS deal.'”

Major General Khan is the Head of Operational Intelligence Support at Crime Intelligence at the South African Police Service and has held the rank of Major General since 1 September 2017.

“Major General Khan is an adult male, Head of Operational Intelligence Support at Crime Intelligence at the South African Police Services and he holds the rank of Major General since 1 September 2017.”

Mr O'Sullivan was never a police officer in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“you were never a police officer in the SAP or SAPS ? Correct.”

General Senona is currently a Major General in the SAPS and placed on suspension due to issues related to the storage and theft of exhibits from the Commission.

“I am a Major General in the South African Police Service... I am currently placed on suspension... because of the storage and the theft of exhibits which emanated from the Commission”

Members of the South African Police Service sometimes cannot find a complainant who lodged a complaint, especially when complaints are reported anonymously as by whistle-blowers.

“in the execution of our duties as members of the South African Police Service , yes , there are instances where you find out that a person who lodged a complaint , you cannot find him . There are instances whereby people reporting things on an anonymity basis , like your so - called whistle - blower .”

Witness J was appointed by the South African Police Service as a student constable and underwent basic training at Police College, was posted to perform crime prevention duties at SAPS and later moved to SAPS.

“I was appointed by the South African Police Service as a student Constable, and underwent my basic training in Police College. I was then posted to perform crime prevention duties at SAPS and later moved to SAPS.”

An email from General Lebeya to General Senona dated 5 February 2024 raised concerns of corruption within the police related to Warrant Officer Karl Sanders, alleging his connection to the criminal underworld and cocaine dealing.

“The email ... from General Lebeya ... to General Senona ... subject forward corruption within the police ... allegations against Warrant Officer Karl Sanders ... he is highly connected with the criminal underworld during dealing in Cocaine”

Chief Mashaba confirms Mosa Twala is a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“When you say you met, maybe let me first ask, Mosa Twala, is that a member of the SAPS? Yes.”

Sergeant Mabula Patrick Sape was on duty with his narcotic dog on 9 July 2021 at Aeroton and was called to assist in a drug search of a container.

“He stated that he is a Sergeant in the South African Police Service attached to Silverton K9 unit. On Friday, 2021-7-09 at about 09:00 he was officially on duty with his narcotic dog and working with Sergeant Phakula when they received a call requesting their assistance with their narcotic dog at Aeroton.”

The South African Police Service (SAPS) faces criticism for inconsistent handling of disciplinary issues and for how they deal with IPID (Independent Police Investigative Directorate) recommendations, which negatively affects productivity, sound relations, morale of SAPS personnel, and public confidence in the police.

“The South African Police Service often comes under criticism for the way some disciplinary issues are being handled due to lack of consistency on investigation of misconduct and the way they deal with IPID recommendations . This has a negative impact on productivity, sound relations and morale of personnel in the SAPS . It also grossly affects the confidence of the public towards the police.”

Some police officers are suspended with pay or dismissed prematurely and later reinstated, raising questions of unnecessary or wasteful financial implications.

“some police officers are suspended with pay or dismissed prematurely and later reinstated . This raises the questions of unnecessary or wasteful financial implications .”

Witness I was transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in 2009, based at Serious Organised Crime Unit, and by 2021 was Team Leader for the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB).

“Members were transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, DPCI, in 2009, and I was based at Serious Organised Crime Unit. In 2021, I was Team Leader for South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, SANEB, a specialised unit within the SAPS”

Assistant Director Maphosho started working as a Constable at SAPS Sandton Police Station in 2003 in the Client Service Centre, transferred to Sandton Detective Service in 2008, and was promoted in 2011.

“I have started working as a Constable at the SAPS in 2003, stationed at Sandton Police Station, working in the Client Service Centre. I was transferred to Sandton Detective Service in 2008. In 2011, I was promoted and transferred to the...”

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) provides independent oversight of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Municipal Police Service to ensure impartial investigations into criminal offenses allegedly committed by police members.

“The objective of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate is to give effect to the provision of Section 206(6) of the Constitution, to ensure independent oversight of the South African Police Service and Municipal Police Service, to provide for independent and impartial investigation of identified criminal offences allegedly committed by members of South African Police Service and Municipal Police Service”

The Assistant Director position at IPID is equivalent to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel within SAPS.

“Yes, the equivalent with SAPS it is Lieutenant Colonel”

Lieutenant Colonel Kwazikwakhe Goodenough Sibiya is a member of the South African Police Service attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Serious Organized Crime Unit SANEB in Durban.

“I am a Lieutenant Colonel in the South African Police Service with PERSAL number 70533318 ... I am attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Serious Organized Crime, Unit SANEB in Durban.”

Lieutenant Colonel Sibiya began his police career in 2005, progressively promoted through ranks up to Lieutenant Colonel by December 1, 2024.

“In 2005, I began my career with the police as a Student Constable. I was appointed as a Constable in 2007... Most recently, December 1, 2024, I was promoted to a Lieutenant Colonel at DPCI, SOCI.”

Warrant Officer Sander developed and has been involved in training the Specialized Narcotics Investigation Program since about 2000, which includes training members of SAPS, SANEB, DPCI, Customs, Organized Crime, Crime Intelligence, and FSLA members.

“For the last , yoh , I began in about 2000 , traveling around the country , training the different Narcotics units , Crime Intelligence , and Organized Crime . We began developing a training program . It is the program that I mentioned now . It is the Specialized Narcotics Investigation Program . There was a team of us , and that is what I did . It trained the DPCI , the SANEB members , the Station members , Organized Crime , Crime Intelligence , Customs . We sit in with members from FSLA as well , so it is quite a cool course .”

The Specialized Narcotics Investigation training is given not only to DPCI members but also to other SAPS members who are identified in the working environment and have an interest in narcotics work.

“Commissioner , as I said , it is other SAPS members as well , but it is people that are identified in the working environment . It is also people that want to have an interest . It is pointless you come sit for a couple of weeks and you do not have an interest in the topic . You have got to have an interest in the field . You have got to be passionate about it .”

Mr. Mogotsi denies ever being an undercover agent or having a record as one in the South African Police Service databases.

“Mr Brown Mogotsi ... has never been in our program as an undercover agent and there are no records that indicate that Mr Mogotsi was ever an agent. ... Mr Brown Mogotsi was never employed or enlisted in the South African Police Service. His name does not reflect on the record system of the South African Police Service. I therefore deny that Mr Brown Mogotsi was ever an undercover agent of the South African Police Service.”

Three Lieutenant Generals at the South African Police Service (SAPS), Major General Kadwa, Major General Lekalakala, and Major General Khan, were present at the incident scene but their roles and instructions were not mentioned, raising questions about potential protection.

“these are Lieutenant Generals at the SAPS. They are Major Generals, all three of them. Major General Kadwa, Major General Lekalakala... if they were presented at the scene while the scene was active and alive and you say nothing about what they did, what their role was, what instructions they gave”

Warrant Officer Boy Steve Phakula is a South African Police Service Warrant Officer attached to the National Investigation Unit at Francis Baart Street, Pretoria, with a service history beginning in 2002.

“I am an adult male Warrant Officer in the South African Police Service, attached to National Investigation Unit 231 Francis Baart Street, Pretoria. My background and service history. My history in the SAPS began in 2002.”

Warrant Officer Phakula joined SAPS as a student constable in the Client Service Centre at Alberton SAPS, then transferred to the Alberton Detective Branch in 2006 and Germiston Trio Task Team in 2008, investigating serious crimes.

“I joined the South African Police Service as a student constable working in the Client Service Centre at Alberton SAPS. In 2006, I was transferred to the Alberton Detective Branch, where I performed my duties as a Detective investigating serious and violent crimes. In 2008, I joined Germiston Trio Task Team, responsible for all the investigations relating to house robberies, business robbery, and hijacking cases within the Germiston cluster.”

Warrant Officer Marumo Joseph Magane joined the South African Police Service on 5 October 1988 as a Student Constable and has held multiple positions in Pretoria West Police Academy, Alberton Visible Policing, Alberton Detectives and CIMAC office since 1 January 2005.

“I am employed as a police officer stationed at Zonkizizwe SAPS and currently attached to CIMAC offices since the 1st January 2005 . I then joined the South African Police Service on the 5th October 1988 as a Student Constable . I attended my basic training in Pretoria West Police Academy and completed my basic training on the 12th November 1999 . I then worked at Alberton Visible Policing, which is also known as Vispol, until the 30th June 2003 . I then took a transfer to Alberton Detectives from the 1st August 2003 until the 30th December 2004 . I got promoted to the rank of a Senior Constable at Zonkizizwe Crime Prevention . I was then transferred to CIO, which stands for Crime Information Office, currently known as CIMAC, which also means Crime Information Management Analysis Centre, from the 1st September 2005 until current.”

Colonel Francois Steyn joined the South African Police Service in 1987 and worked in various units including Vehicle Theft Unit, Vehicle Finance Fraud Unit, Organised Crime Unit and Serious Organised Crime Unit with increasing ranks, currently serving as Unit Commander in West Rand Serious Organised Crime Unit.

“I joined the South African Police Service in 1987... transferred to the Hillbrow Vehicle Theft Unit...promoted to captain ...Unit Commander of the Vehicle Finance Fraud Unit...Organised Crime Unit in Pretoria...promoted to Senior Superintendent ...Unit Commander of East Rand Organised Crime Unit... transferred to Priority Violent Crime Unit as Team Leader ... Provincial Coordinator for SANEB ... transferred to West Rand Serious Organised Crime Unit, where I was appointed Unit Commander, and currently still serving there.”

If a crime happens in the presence of a normal member of the public, they can act but still need to involve the police; traffic officers are allowed to operate in designated areas and should normally call the right people to the scene.

“If a crime happens in their presence, they can act on it, but they still need to involve the police. If my memory serves me well, a traffic officer also is just allowed to operate in the area that he is designated for.”

Private security companies assist with crime prevention in collaboration with the South African Police Service but do not act independently.

“Even private security companies is also not mandated per se, but their main operation is to assist with crime prevention, but they do not do that on their own, they do that in collaboration with the South African Police Service.”

Chairperson acknowledges a wide group of suspects including outside the DPCI and SAPS, who could have been informed about the cocaine's storage in Port Shepstone by law enforcement officers.

“So there is that wide, amorphous group of suspects as well, but number one is DPCI.”

Maj-Gen Flynn has had a long career in South African Police history since 1989, working in various investigative units including the Precious Metals and Diamond Unit and is currently the Component Head for Serious Organised Crime Investigation in the DPCI.

“I am a Maj-Gen in the South African Police Service, attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the DPCI or Hawks, as the Component Head for Serious Organised Crime Investigation... I joined SAPS on 1 January 1989... In September 1990, I was attached to the Diamond and Gold Branch in Klerksdorp, which later became known as the Precious Metals and Diamond Unit... This unit was eventually incorporated into the South African Police Service Organised Crime Unit... On 20 February 2009, the DPCI was established, incorporating the SAPS Organised Crime Unit. I have been with the DPCI since its inception.”

For a tender related to Ngaphesheya in Mpumalanga, Deputy Chief Dhlamini had documents certified by the Private Sector Industry Regulation Authority (PSiRA) and the South African Police Service in Soshuvane dated after the TMPD-1 submission deadline.

“... it is a letter of withstanding issued by the Private Sector Industry Regulation Authority, PSiRA ... certified by the South African Police Service in Soshuvane on the 20th of February 2025 ... those dates are after the submission date of TMPD-1 ...”

Brigadier Nkhwashu denies wrongdoing and misconduct allegations and states his career has been dedicated to SAPS with integrity.

“I deny that I have aided or abetted any criminal activity or failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings or benefited financially or politically from any criminal syndicate. I did not. I have dedicated my career to the South African Police Service and acted with integrity. I am being prejudiced by allegations that are vague and not yet tested”

Brigadier Nkhwashu denies any wrongdoing related to the allegations and is willing to cooperate with the Commission's enquiries subject to fair process rights.

“I deny any wrongdoing whatsoever in this regard. I am willing to cooperate with the Commission's legitimate enquiries to the extent that such cooperation does not infringe upon my right to a fair process and my right against self-incrimination. I request that the Commission make a finding that there is no basis for the allegations made against me and that the SAPS immediately withdraw my suspension proceedings against me because I am not the criminal that the media suggests”

The Provincial Commissioner General Mthombeni instructed District Commissioners, including the acting District Commissioner for Sedibeng, to collect all dockets involving J50 warrants of arrest and deliver them to Maj-Gen Mbuso Khumalo for oversight and review.

“A complaint was lodged with the South African Police Service Provincial Commissioner, General Mthombeni. General Mthombeni decided to instruct District Commissioners, including me as acting District Commissioner for Sedibeng, to collect all dockets that had J50 warrants of arrest and to deliver them to the Deputy Provincial Commissioner of detective service, which is Maj-Gen Mbuso Khumalo, for oversight and review.”

Director Malatji explains that Metro Police officers are not members of SAPS, SANDF, or State Security Agency and thus are not covered by Section 199 of the Constitution regarding security service registration.

“Metro Police officers are not members of the South African Police Service, right. Metro Police officers are not SANDF members as per Section 199, nor employees of the State Security Agency.”

It is worrying and unacceptable that a South African Police Service sergeant, not working for the City of Tshwane nor in supply chain management, could give guidance or prefer companies in the City's supply chain.

“He is not even working for the City of Tshwane. He is not even in the supply chain management environment of the City of Tshwane. He is a South African Police Service sergeant. It is very, very worrying that he could give guidance or he could actually prefer companies. It is unacceptable.”

A commissioned officer in the South African Police Service (SAPS) is an officer appointed and signed off by the President but when resigning from SAPS, the rank becomes merely ceremonial without powers.

“A commissioned officer in the South African Police Services Act is the South African Police Services Officer who has been Commissioned and signed off by the President because of his appointment as officer. But that is when you resign from the South African Police Service, it becomes a ceremonial rank that you, if you are not fired, you can keep the ceremonial rank, but you have no powers, no function whatsoever, it is only a ceremonial rank.”

A subordinate who was previously a captain or colonel in SAPS disrespected the witness by claiming higher rank because he was a commissioned officer, but the witness clarified that he was not a commissioned officer and belongs to Metro Police.

“he opened the discussion completely disrespectful towards me, stating that he has got a higher rank than me because he is a commissioned officer and I am not a commissioned officer... I stated to him, it is true that I am not a commissioned officer because I am not in the South African Police Service, we are in the Metro Police”

L T General Shibiri states he does not begrudge any legitimate career progression in the South African Police Service but highlights concerns about members being approached or encouraged to provide adverse information in relation to career progression.

“I do not begrudge any member of South Africa's Police Service legitimate career progression. However, in light of the concerns already raised regarding possibility that members may have been approached or encouraged to provide adverse information, ...”

Lieutenant-General Shibiri confirms the existence of adverse news and stories within the police about disciplinary and legal matters, which were widely circulated through official communication channels and known among members.

“Adverse news which are out there about the police... they have been talked in the corridors... There is nothing we can do about it other than sharing it... It is not something which is happening between members only. It is there. It exists on daily basis.”