Groenpunt Prison

Brigadier Nkhwashu denies allegations of removing vehicle number plate to conceal identity when visiting Groenpunt Prison.

“I deny these allegations because it did not happen. I could not conceal my identity after having spoken to the area commissioner and identified myself... When I arrived at the gate to the officials there, I also identified myself”

Brigadier Nkhwashu states he signed the access register with his full names and identity card, confirming his identity on entry to Groenpunt Prison.

“I signed the access register using my full names and as they appear in my identity card and my visit was recorded”

In February 2025, while still on leave, Brigadier Nkwashu's sister Fundiswa Nyangule contacted him to inform that she was coming to Gauteng to visit her husband Katiso Molefe in prison and asked for a lift from the airport.

“In February 2025, while I was still on leave, my sister, Fundiswa Nyangule, who... contacted me. She informed me that she was coming to Gauteng to visit her husband in prison... She asked if I could fetch her from the airport because she was coming from Durban... I agreed and I went to the airport and picked her up. We drove together to Groenpunt Prison.”

On 9 December 2024, Brigadier Nkhwashu called Mr M Khaliphi at 13:24 to ask for permission to bring clothes to his brother-in-law who was arrested and remanded to Groenpunt Prison after appearing in Vereeniging Court.

“On the 9th of December, he received a call from you at about 13:24 to ask for permission to bring clothes to his brother-in-law, who was arrested at an airport the same day, the 9th of December 2024, and appeared at the Vereeniging Court and was remanded to Groenpunt Prison”

Brigadier Nkhwashu and Fundiswa knew Mr Molefe was remanded to Groenpunt Prison after court and therefore knew where to deliver clothes and food, contradicting a misleading statement in paragraph 49 of his statement.

“You already knew in the same way that Fundiswa knew where he was and could have taken the food and the clothes to him... Your involvement was not because she does not know where to find him. She knew where he is. You knew where he is.”

Brigadier Nkhwashu explains that upon remand following first court appearance, awaiting trial prisoners are sent to Leeuw Prison, but Mr Molefe's case was unusual as he was detained at Groenpunt Prison, which surprised all.

“it was different and we were all surprised why he was detained or incarcerated in Groenpunt”