Witness: Mr van Wyk. Evidence Leader: Adv M Chaskalson SC.
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Mr Mike Van Wyk suffered severe panic attacks and was advised by psychiatrist Doctor Arnold Lawrence to be admitted to the psychiatric unit at Jacaranda Hospital.
“Subsequent thereto as well, placed him on medication ... the patient needs to be admitted to the psychiatric unit at Jacaranda Hospital”
An affidavit from Doctor Arnold Lawrence confirming the medical position of Mr Van Wyk was prepared and is awaited, with the commissioning currently taking place at Kameeldrift Police Station.
“I also prepared a further affidavit from Doctor Lawrence himself ... the affidavit was prepared ... commissioned at the Kameeldrift Police Station”
Mr Van Wyk is not medically fit to testify today as accepted by counsel and the Commission has agreed on proceeding with evidence presentment today, and postponing the testimony to a later date due to medical unfitness.
“We accept that he is not in a medical state to testify today ... the proposal is that we will use today to put real evidence before the Commission ... and that Mr Van Wyk then, when he is well enough to return, can come back to answer very specific questions”
Mr Van Wyk has been a cooperative witness and has sent acknowledgement of receipt when requests were made in the past week.
“Mr Van Wyk has been a cooperative witness and it flows from the chronology of events that when there was a request, acknowledgement of receipt was sent by my office”
If Mr Van Wyk files a supplementary affidavit after today's proceedings to clarify any matters, he will do so by a deadline of 6 July, with provision for subpoena for further questioning on specific issues after at least seven days' notice.
“Mr Van Wyk will... file a supplementary affidavit ... deadline of 6 July ... subpoena him for further questioning ... at least seven days' notice”
Mr. Van Wyk's appearance is postponed indefinitely, and he may file a supplementary affidavit on any material addressed by the Evidence Leaders by 6 July 2026.
“The appearance of Mr Van Wyk is postponed sine die ... If Mr Van Wyk wishes to file a supplementary affidavit to clarify any of the material on which the Evidence Leaders have addressed the Commission, he will do so soon or before 6 July 2026.”
Mr Van Wyk is preparing a detailed statement about the SAPS Medicare Tshwane District contract, but it will not be discussed at this stage of the hearing.
“We understand that Mr Van Wyk is preparing a detailed statement relating to that contract and it will be made available to us and we hope to get it by the end of this week, but I will not be touching on it at all today.”
Mr Van Wyk owns Medicare 24 Holdings, distinct from Medicare 24 Tshwane district owned by Mr Matlala; Mr Van Wyk is also a director and key player at the security company Anubis Protection Services.
“The first company is Medicare 24 Holdings. That is Mr Van Wyk's company... Then there is a company called Anubis Protection Services. That is a security company of which Mr Van Wyk is a director and we understand him to be the key player of that company.”
WhatsApp chats included in evidence bundles involve communications between Mr Matlala and Mr Van Wyk, and separately between Mr Van Wyk and Mr Julius Mkhwanazi of the EMPD.
“The first is the chats extracted from Mr Matlala's phone, the chats between Mr Matlala and Mr Van Wyk... The second set of chats which run from page 59 in Volume 2 of the Evidence Bundle. Those are the chats between Mr Van Wyk and Mr Julius Mkhwanazi of the EMPD.”
Mr Van Wyk states he has never been introduced to high-ranking police officials despite Mr Matlala claiming to have such contacts.
“Mr Vu si Matlala made it clear on numerous occasions that he had contact with high-ranking officials, but he never mentioned their names, and I was never involved in any meetings except operational meetings or discussions with any of them apart from Brian...”
George van der Merwe set up a sting operation with the Hawks according to Mr Van Wyk.
“Mr Van Wyk said to Mr Matlala: 'So it was George that set up the sting with the Hawks.'”
WhatsApp communication discussed doesn't relate to the SAPS contract; prior business relations with George van der Merwe ended unconstructively.
“The WhatsApp communication does not relate to the SAPS contract in as far as I know. I have had previous business relations with George van der Merwe, which related to close protection services, which was not a constructive business relationship and which I terminated.”
Mr Van Wyk introduces Mr Julius Mkhwanazi to George van der Merwe as a connection for transport issues and contacts within JM P D due to his rank.
“Mr Van Wyk appears to be introducing Mr Julius Mkhwanazi to George ... He is the Head of the EMPD on this side ... he also has all the contacts for Tshwane in JMPD due to his rank”
Mr Vander Merwe is known for his role as General Manager of the Optimum Coal Mine, which was the subject of a Public Protector report in 2016.
“Mr Vander Merwe is best known for his role as General Manager of the Optimum Coal Mine ... which was the subject matter of the Public Protector Report back in 2016”
The introduction involving George van der Merwe and Julius Mkhwanazi took place after the Guptas had left the country.
“this is after the Guptas had left the country”
Mr Thomas Moyo is the General Manager of Today's Destiny Logistics and is not the person who was shot; the person shot was Maxwell Mlangeni.
“Mr Thomas Moyo ... General Manager of Today's Destiny Logistics ... is not the person who was shot ... the person who was shot was Maxwell Mlangeni”
Mr Van Wyk shared a video of a man wounded in a gun assault, related to a man named Maxwell Mlangeni who owns Today's Destiny Logistics and survived the attack.
“a video of a man wounded inside a car riddled with bullet holes ... name is Maxwell Mlangeni ... owner of Today's Destiny Logistics ... survived that gun assault”
Mr Van Wyk stated that the WhatsApp communication from 19 to 3 mainly relates to a photograph of Mr Themba Moyo who was shot, forwarded to Mr Matlala.
“The WhatsApp communication from 19 to 3 mainly relates to a photograph of a person ... Mr Themba Moyo who was shot”
The shooting of Maxwell Mlangeni took place on the Bethal Road south of eMalahleni, near the Optimum Coal Mine.
“The shooting took place on the Bethal Road south of eMalahleni, relatively close to the Optimum Coal Mine”
Mr Van Wyk acknowledged involvement in the private security industry and circulation of a photograph of a man shot in connection with a WhatsApp group related to this industry.
“I am also involved in the private security industry and ... is part of many WhatsApp groups relating to this industry ... this photograph was circulated on one of them”
The photograph circulated in the WhatsApp group was of Mr Thomas Moyo, but it was Mr Maxwell Mlangeni who was shot.
“the person who was shot was not Mr Moyo, it was Mr Maxwell Mlangeni ... photograph we have actually identified as the photograph of a man called Mr Thomas Moyo”
Mr Van Wyk claims not to remember which WhatsApp group circulated the photo, explaining that as private security industry participant he is part of many such groups.
“I do not remember which one. It is for that reason I sent it on to Mr Matlala”
Evidence includes WhatsApp chats between Mr Van Wyk and Mr Matlala discussing cash transactions and alleged involvement in cocaine dealing.
“this is evidence of Mr Matlala and Mr Van Wyk involved in the dealing in Cocaine”
Mr Van Wyk said the money bag photo is of cash he won at a casino and offered to make records available to prove winning approximately R200,000.
“The money bag contained in this photograph is cash monies that I won at a casino ... I can make my records available that I have indeed won approximately R 200,000 shortly before”
Mr Van Wyk claims he never sent Mr Matlala photos of any monies he won at a casino, which suggests tampering of WhatsApp messages although the photo is accurate.
“I never sent Mr Matlala photos of any monies that I won at a casino ... he is suggesting that this section of the WhatsApps is tampered even though it accurately reflects a photograph of money that he won at a casino”
Mr Matlala sent a video to Mr Van Wyk on 6 April 2025 at 10:25, which Mr Van Wyk disputes receiving, but evidence shows it was sent.
“Mr Van Wyk disputes receiving this video ... it was sent from Mr Matlala to Mr Van Wyk at 10:25 on the 6th of April”
Mr Matlala sent Mr Van Wyk messages asking for a good price relating to cocaine and followed by a voice note saying 'we will go in at 02:50'.
“Mr Matlala sent Mr Van Wyk messages saying 'Get me a good price' ... Mr Van Wyk replied with a voice note saying 'We will go in at 02:50'”
Mr Van Wyk forwarded a message to Mr Matlala from a third party about readiness for the next day and noted important morning engagements, referring to bricks of cocaine being weighed out on video.
“Mr Van Wyk forwards to Mr Matlala ... 'Mike, are we ready to take tomorrow afternoon ... has got important engagement in the morning ...' Note refers to bricks of cocaine being weighed on video”
Mr Van Wyk disputes having received a certain WhatsApp video on his cellphone that he sent to Mr Matlala.
“I never received this WhatsApp video on my cellphone”
Chats involving Mr Matlala and a third party contain voice notes and deleted messages linked to incriminating videos.
“we found the same voice note saying we will go in at 02:50 , the identical file in these chats”
The third party and a fourth party discuss prices for illegal goods, with Mr Matlala involved in negotiations indicating price and quantities.
““ I a m w a i t i n g f o r h i m t o c o m e b a c k , b u t h e s a i d 3 5 0 k , i t i s t o o m u c h . ” The fourth party say “ 3 0 0 . ” At 09:25 , Mr Matlala says to the third party : “ O k a y, I a m a l s o g e t t i n g g o o d p r i c e , s o y o u c a n m a k e p r o f i t . ””
The SAPS was asked about awareness of narcotics rebranded with the Prestige logo and crown symbol; Brigadier Allen from SAPS Chemistry section provided information confirming the drug analysis results.
“And we asked the SAPS if they were aware of any narcotics that are rebranded in this fashion and we received an information note from Brigadier Allen, who is the Section Head of Chemistry in the SAPS”
Videos depict cocaine bricks rebranded with 'Prestige' and a crown symbol; forensic lab confirms these branded bricks tested positive for cocaine.
“The blocks were tested by Forensic Science Laboratory and have tested positive for Cocaine . Of the six blocks , three blocks had the Prestige imprint as in the video , and the other three blocks did not have the same imprint .”
Mr Matlala forwarded a voice note from Mr Van Wyk stating 'we will go in at 02:50' to the third party; the voice note was originally sent by Mr Van Wyk to Mr Matlala.
“he has forwarded to the third party the voice note that Mr Van Wyk sent to him a few minutes earlier saying , we will go in at 02 : 50 .”
Mr Van Wyk claimed he never received the WhatsApp video on his cellphone despite evidence showing the video was sent to Mr Matlala by the third party and admitted by the third party to have sent it.
“... he says : “ Once again , I received the video recording from the enquiries I made to the Commission and confirmed that I never received this WhatsApp video on my cell phone . ” We do not accept that answer ... We interviewed the third party ... and the third party admits that he sent the video to Mr Matlala .”
It is technically and factually impossible for a third party to have planted the authentic video and voice note in the WhatsApp chats between Mr Van Wyk and Mr Matlala because the chats were extracted from an image of Mr Matlala's iPhone 16, and planting a message or media file would leave a trace of amendment.
“we are informed that it is not possible to plant a message or a media file into a WhatsApp chat record on an Apple iPhone 16 without leaving a trace that the file of the whole WhatsApp was amended at a later date”
There is no evidence that a third party tampered with the video to frame Mr Van Wyk or Mr Matlala because the video only appears in the chats between Mr Van Wyk and Mr Matlala and nowhere else on the phone.
“if one has to postulate a notional tamperer who wants to frame Mr Van Wyk and/or Mr Matlala, they would have had no access to a video to plant because the only place on the phone where the video appears is in the chats between Mr Van Wyk and Mr Matlala.”
The video sent by the third party was deleted for everyone from the chat at 07:49:59 and no trace of the video remains in chats between Mr Matlala and the third party or elsewhere on the phone, except in chats between Mr Van Wyk and Mr Matlala.
“The video that was sent by the third party was deleted for everyone ... what is significant is that there was no trace of the video on the chats between Mr Matlala and the third party. And indeed there is no trace of the video anywhere on the phone other than in the chats between Mr Matlala and Mr Van Wyk.”
The third party did not realize that Mr Matlala had forwarded the video to Mr Van Wyk and so the third party could not delete a video that Mr Matlala had forwarded further.
“The third party of course did not realise that Mr Matlala had forwarded the video onto Mr Van Wyk and he could not delete a video that Mr Matlala had forwarded further.”
The video is authentic, confirmed by the person who originally sent it to Mr Matlala but who subsequently deleted it, supporting the impossibility of third party tampering.
“The authenticity of the video is confirmed by the person who originally sent it to Mr Matlala, but who subsequently deleted it. So we know the video is real ... it would have been impossible for a third-party tamperer to plant that real video in the chats of Mr Van Wyk and Mr Matlala because that third party would not have had access to the video anywhere else on the phone. There is no sign of the video anywhere else on the phone.”
A case involving some Brazilian suspects raided and found in possession of cocaine is different from the Booysen case of 2021 regarding loss of 136 kgs of cocaine and unrelated to the Aeroton cocaine in this matter.
“This is the case involving some suspects, some Brazilian suspects who on the basis of intelligence were raided and were found in possession of cocaine ... We have no way of linking the Aeroton cocaine to this cocaine. We are not suggesting that what is being weighed out on that scale came from Aeroton.”
FSL has bricks of cocaine bearing a logo similar to the one seen in the video under discussion, but there is no known connection other than the logo itself.
“FS L has in its possession bricks of Cocaine that have the similar logo as the one that was being weighed in this video that we are discussing ... We have no connection other than the logo.”
Mr Julius Mkhwana sent to Mr Van Wyk a letter from Ekurhuleni reflecting a proposed meeting on 12 October to discuss setting up a specialised unit involving crime combating, drug busts, riots, and medical emergency response, expected to have approval from Chief Mapiyeye.
“At 11.26 p.m. on the 8th of October 021 , Mr Julius Mkhwana sends to Mr Van Wyk a letter from Ekurhuleni reflecting a meeting to be held on the 12th of October ... The meeting ... is said to be a proposed meeting with Medicross ... Mr Van Wyk responds ... with a voice note ... The chief is going to be a reference to Chief Mapiyeye, whose approval is going to be necessary for what Mr Van Wyk and Mr Mkhwana are planning.”
Mr Van Wyk discussed setting up a specialised unit intended to respond to medical emergencies, riots, crime combating, and drug busts, expressing hope to win approval from Medicare 24.
“Mr Van Wyk is talking about setting up a specialised unit that will not just be medical response, it will also be crime, security, drug busts ... We do not only just respond to medical emergencies, we can respond to riots, anything. We are on the scene if something happens, we can help with crime combating, drug busts ... So, ja, I just hope we win with him.”
There was concern about whether 'we' were going to win with Chief Mapiyeye.
“Do you think we are going to win with him?”
The letter was addressed to the wrong company; it should be Medicare 24, not Medicross.
“it is not Medicross, it is Medicare 24, so the letter is wrong”
Mr Van Wyk intended a specialised unit that would be dealing not only with medical emergencies but also with crime response and drug busts.
“our aim is to be a specialised unit for you guys, to work with you guys... a specialised unit that was going to be dealing, in addition to medical, with crime response, drug busts”
Mr Mkhwanazi agreed that the process should include Chief Mapiyeye to make him feel part of the process but indicated that not everything would be disclosed to him yet.
“I agree with you hundred percent. But for now, let us formalise with him, just to meet with him, so that he may feel that he is part of the process. But with him, we are not going to disclose everything.”
Work is underway on a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Medicare 24/Anubis Protection Services and EMPD, signed by Mr Mkhwanazi, and a separate MOU for Mr Matlala's entities.
“there is now work underway on an MOU and, in fact, the draft MOU ... is already signed by Mr Mkhwanazi ... and there is a separate MOU ... for Mr Matlala's entities”
The MOU is between EMPD and Medicare 24/Anubis Protection Services, a security company associated with Mr Van Wyk.
“this MOU is drafted as an MOU between EMPD and Medicare 24, not Medicare 24 Tshwane ... Medicare 24/Anubis Protection Services ... was the security company associated with Mr Van Wyk”
The draft MOU includes provisions for EMPD to assist with vehicle registration and use of blue and red lights for vehicles as part of the EMPD fleet, with costs borne by Medicare 24/Anubis.
“EMPD will assist with the registration of vehicles under EMPD ... and we will be permitted to use blue and red lights ... The cost of this will be for Medicare 24 / Anubis”
This process attempts to position a private company to access blue lights and EMPD vehicles and to set up a specialised unit involving Mr Matlala's and Mr Van Wyk's entities that goes beyond healthcare.
“It is this process by which a private company is trying to put itself in a position to get blue lights and have access to vehicles which are part of the EMPD fleet ... an attempt to set up some sort of specialised unit into which Mr Matlala's entities and Mr van Wyk's entities will be able to participate which will go beyond healthcare”
Mr Mkhwanazi is preparing cards for members of the planned specialised unit with contact points for queries being himself as Director Mkhwanazi.
“Mr van Wyk sends ... a mock-up of a card that represents something of a joint venture between Anubis Protection and EMPD... Mr Mkhwanazi is preparing cards... the contact point ... is Director Mkhwanazi”
Mr van Wyk explains that some authority cards are used by metros but require a letter from EMPD authorising usage, indicating these private people work in association with EMPD.
“this is cards that I see some of the metros are using for people that has a little bit of authority, but we need a letter still to authorise us to use it. It does not make us traffic officers, it just says that we work in conjunction with EMPD”
Mr van Wyk seeks permission to put blue and red lights and EMPD branding on a new bakkie that he has bought, concerned about being arrested for impersonating a police officer.
“Would I be able to put blue and red lights in? It will only be ready on Friday. But I do not want to drive with something and then I get arrested for impersonating a police officer. ... Can we put EMPD at the back of the bakkie?”
Red lights can only be displayed on an emergency services vehicle, but blue lights need some police authority. Blue lights require the vehicle to be registered on the EMPD fleet, which justifies the blue lights.
“Now the red lights are neither here nor there because if it is for an emergency services vehicle, you are entitled to display red lights and Medicare 24 was a registered emergency care provider. But the blue lights you need some sort of police authority for. And he is saying to Mr Mkhwanazi, can I put blue lights on? ... we understand to be having the vehicle registered on the EMPD fleet, which in turn will then justify the blue lights.”
Mr Mkhwanazi confirms his team is dealing with the policy related to outsider vehicles having blue lights registered on EMPD fleet.
“Mr Mkhwanazi is saying my team has been instructed to deal with the policy and we understand that policy to be related to the issue of outsiders to the EMPD having their cars registered on the EMPD fleet and having blue lights.”
Mr van Wyk's business partner is anxious about driving a vehicle with blue lights due to fear of arrest, indicating concerns about legal authority.
“Mr van Wyk is again coming back in relation to authority for the blue lights because his business partner ... is anxious about driving around in a vehicle that might get him arrested.”
Mr van Wyk clarified that the business partner mentioned in voice notes was not Mr Matlala, but another person who later passed away.
“... he was talking about a business partner in Medicare 24 Holdings and possibly in Anubis, a man who later passed away shortly ... it is not Mr Matlala.”
Mr van Wyk and Commissioner Mkhwanazi discussed establishing a reserve force for EMPD involving private individuals engaged in a similar capacity to police reservists in SAPS.
“Mr van Wyk and Commissioner Mkhwanazi are floating the idea of establishing a reserve force for the EMPD, which would then involve private individuals who are not EMPD employees being engaged by the EMPD in some sort of capacity, just like police reservists engage with the SAPS.”
Proposals linked to the establishment of the EMPD reserve force were documented in presentations and YouTube clips, but some of these links have been taken down recently.
“... there were a couple of presentations that were put together by Mr van Wyk and that appear in YouTube clips that are linked in the chats. Up until about four or five days ago, the links still worked, but they have been taken down now.”
The idea of establishing the EMPD reserve force grew out of the special force idea and was first indicated on 2 December 2021 in messages between Commissioner Mkhwanazi and Mr van Wyk.
“The first sign that we have of that as an idea growing out of the special force idea appears at that message on the 2nd of December 2021 at the foot of page 597 ... where Commissioner Mkhwanazi says: "Good morning Mike, we are starting with a project of reserve formation." And Mr van Wyk responds: "Please contact me so I know where we stand and hopefully I will be in charge of the reserves, LOL."”
Mr van Wyk sent a mock-up of the specialised services joint venture between Anubis and EMPD to Commissioner Mkhwanazi, who responded requesting preparation for appointment card finalisation due to increased cars.
“Mr van Wyk sends that mock-up of the specialised services JV between Anubis and EMPD through to Commissioner Mkhwanazi ... Commissioner Mkhwanazi sends him a message saying: "Good morning Mike. Kindly prepare, Cwabe will be coming to finalise the issue of appointment cards today... we will be meeting with our fleet guy this morning so we get directions since the cars have increased and finalised."”
Commissioner Mkhwanazi is involved in arranging official appointment cards for officers and coordinating adding members to appointment cards to confer policing authority without specifying demarcation such as EMPD.
“the message from Commissioner Mkhwanazi is to say: 'Cwabe will be coming to finalise the issue of appointment cards today, I have given him a clue' ... 'The appointments should not specify the demarcation and we need it as soon as yesterday' ... 'I will also call and remind him again after 8.30 on the issue of adding members to appointment cards.'”
There is an apparent bribe paid by Mr van Wyk to Commissioner Mkhwanazi related to appointment cards and authorization of blue lights, implied by coded messages referencing an amount approved for 'APPT'.
“Now we get to something which in our view looks like a bribe that is paid by Mr van Wyk to Commissioner Mkhwanazi in respect of these appointment cards and the authorisation of blue lights ... Mr van Wyk sends two messages on the 6th of December to Commissioner Mkhwanazi. The first says: 'The amount we spoke about is APPT.' And then he says 'approved'.”
Mr van Wyk pressured Commissioner Mkhwanazi urgently to authorize blue lights to avoid his boss being arrested, implying use of money and urgent delivery connected to appointment cards and authorization.
“Mr van Wyk saying, I need to know where we stand, you need to do Christmas shopping ... I need to make sure my boss is not in jail for blue lights ... I need blue lights to be authorised.”
There is a coordinated process about organizing vehicles to appear on the EMPD fleet with blue lights and issuing appointment cards to confer policing authority involving criminal record checks.
“We are talking at this stage about processes to finalise two separate issues. The one is the organisation of the vehicles so that they will appear on the EMPD fleet and be able to use blue lights. And the second is these appointment cards that will give the appearance that the holders have some sort of policing power. There is an issue in relation to the appointment cards which relates to criminal records because the process of issuing cards to law enforcement authorities involves some sort of criminal record check.”
There is a joint venture arrangement between Medicare 24, Anubis, and EMPD under the command of Acting Deputy Municipal Police Commissioner Brigadier JD Mkhwana to assist EMPD officers with security and medical emergency services including during the COVID-19 pandemic in and outside the City of Ekurhuleni.
“Commissioner Mkhwana sends Mr van Wyk a letter confirming the existence of some sort of joint venture arrangement between Medicare 24 and Anubis with EMPD ... The letter says : " This letter serves to confirm that the EMPD , under the command of Acting Deputy Municipal Police Commissioner Brigadier JD Mkhwana of Specialised Services , has an endless working relationship with Medicare 24 ( Pty ) Ltd and Anubis to assist EMPD officers in any security and medical emergency services including the COVID-19 pandemic in and out of the City of Ekurhuleni ."”
Mr Matlala had a criminal conviction for housebreaking sentenced to 4 years imprisonment in 2001 which meant he should have a criminal record, but it was allegedly "sorted out" illegally.
“Mr Matlala had been convicted of housebreaking and sentenced to 4 years' imprisonment in 2001 , which meant that he should have a criminal record . And that if he sorted out that problem , it was sorted out illegally”
Mr van Wyk requested that the letter reflect the proper name Anubis Protection Services and include VIP protection and security services, not just medical services, as part of the partnership with EMPD.
“Mr van Wyk wants the proper name of Anubis to be there , and then he says : " VIP Protection and Security ." ... He wants the letter to say that we do not just provide medical services , the partnership extends to VIP protection and security services too .”
Mr van Wyk sent a SAPS clearance certificate certifying that Mr Matlala has no criminal convictions, but this document could not lawfully have been issued since Mr Matlala had a prior housebreaking conviction that could not be expunged.
“Mr van Wyk sends through a SAPS clearance certificate certifying that Mr Matlala has no criminal convictions . Now this document , it seems to us , could not lawfully have been issued , because he did have a criminal conviction for house breaking in 2001 , and that was not a conviction that was capable of being expunged .”
Mr van Wyk complains that a letter he received is unsigned and cannot be used without a signature.
“Mr van Wyk sends a voice note complaining that the letter that has come through is unsigned , he needs a signed letter .”
There was a delay and eventual production of appointment cards that describe the holders exercising some police powers, with the process being finalized on 14 February after some delay from December.
“the cards that will describe the holders exercising some police powers are now finally going to be produced ... no cards were produced on the 20th of December ... the process gets picked up again in January ... the process finally seems to, or almost, finish”
Mr Van Wyk was involved in securing appointment cards and confirming appointments for police powers, interacting with Commissioner Mkhwanazi.
“Mr Van Wyk is asking for confirmation of the meeting for the appointment cards ... Mr Van Wyk was now going to ask for confirmation that they have been loaded onto the law enforcement system ... the response from Commissioner Mkhwanazi ... "you are loaded on a system" ... "we are finalizing today with the National Chief"”
There was discussion with the National Commissioner (likely the National Chief) concerning finalizing details related to Mr Van Wyk's status with the appointment cards and law enforcement status.
“the message is you are loaded on a system and we are finalizing the details today with the National Chief ... I would think it would be the National Commissioner”
Mr Van Wyk and Mr Matlala acquired some kind of law enforcement status allowing blue lights to be fitted to some of their vehicles through a process involving Commissioner Mkhwanazi, which took several months.
“Mr Matlala and Mr Van Wyk have acquired a status which has enabled them to have blue lights fitted to some of their vehicles ... a process stretching over several months ... they were able to acquire some form of appointment that would reflect their status as having certain law enforcement ... some kind of law enforcement status ... and with that blue lights for their vehicles”
By March 2025, both Mr Matlala and Mr Van Wyk appeared to be in financial difficulties related to SAPS contract payments, impacting their process for law enforcement appointment statuses.
“by March 2025 ... both Mr Matlala and Mr Van Wyk appear to be in financial difficulties and that in part has to do with problems ... securing payment on the SAPS contract”
In conversations between Mr Matlala and Mr Motsumi in early March 2025, arrangements were being made related to the company Vhazwimi Security and Protection, including preparation of letters for official purposes.
“Mr Matlala says: "Ntokozo Motsumi, 7 Viscount Road, Bedfordview, 2008, Vhazwimi Security and Protection" and asks for address and name of person in charge for letter preparation”
Ntokozo Motsumi from Vhazwimi Security and Protection has permission and mandate to register and operate all Medicare 24 Tshwane District emergency response vehicles throughout South Africa, effectively making the fleet available to Vhazwimi Security and Protection for use.
“CEO of Medicare 24 Tshwane District (Pty) Ltd advise that Ntokozo Motsumi from the below organisation has our permission and mandate to register and operate all our emergency response vehicles throughout South Africa ... the company and address of Ntokozo Motsumi is given as Vhazwimi Security and Protection ... making the fleet of Medicare 24 Tshwane District available to Vhazwimi Security and Protection for use”
In the early 2000s, negotiations regarding vehicle fleet arrangements for Medicare 24 Tshwane District involved multiple parties including Mr Van Wyk, Mr Motsumi and Mr Matlala, with some confusion about which legal entity (Holdings or Tshwane (Pty) Ltd) was involved.
“Negotiations at the beginning were taking place in 2001, 2002 ... not clear whether it was for Holdings or for Tshwane 24, Tshwane (Pty) Ltd ... earlier negotiations were definitely in two parts ... certain letters were going to be signed for Mr Van Wyk and his entities ... Anubis for instance has nothing to do with Mr Matlala to the best of our knowledge ... What has happened by the time we get to 2025, we are not sure”
A loan agreement in April 2025 between Mr. Motsumi and Medicare 24 Tshwane District provides for Mr. Motsumi to advance R20 million with monthly repayments calculated at 20% of Medicare 24 Tshwane District's net profit, repayable until July 2027 or until R100 million in profit is repaid, whichever comes first.
“That loan agreement in draft form appears at page 850 ... Mr Motsumi is going to advance R20 million to Medicare 24 Tshwane on or before 27 April 2025 ... repayments ... calculated at 20% of the monthly net profit ... lender entitled to such repayments until July 2027, alternatively until such time as lender has received the sum of R100 million in profit”
Tsakani Matlala, Chairperson of the board of directors for Medicare 24 Tshwane, signed an acknowledgement of a R20 million debt to Mr Motsumi on 25 April 2025, reflecting the same terms of repayment as the loan agreement.
“Acknowledgement of debt appears ... in the name of Tsakani Matlala who describes herself as Chairman of the board of directors for Medicare 24 Tshwane ... reflects a debt of 20 million arising out of a business loan from Mr Motsumi ... signed by Tsakani Matlala on the 25th of April”
Mr Motsumi, in his personal capacity, is advancing R20 million to Medicare 24 Tshwane District in late April 2025 and in return Medicare 24 will sign over authority over all its vehicles to Mr Motsumi's security company, Vhazwimi Security.
“Mr Motsumi in his personal capacity is advancing R20 million to Medicare 24 Tshwane District in late April 2025 and that in return ... Medicare 24 is also signing over authority over all of its vehicles to Mr Motsumi's security company, Vhazwimi Security”
Commissioner Mkhwanazi informs Mr Van Wyk that some security companies are charging 10% of the recovered stock from hijacking incidents as a payout.
“Commissioner Mkhwanazi is alerting Mr Van Wyk to the fact that some security companies are able to receive payouts of 10% on the stock that they recover from hijackings”
Mr Mkhwanazi plans to establish a team including brand owners, EM and Mr Van Wyk to get information about hijacked trucks and robbed stock.
“I will establish a team of brand owners, EM PD and you. That is where we will be getting information about hijacked trucks, robbed stock.”
Mr Van Wyk expresses interest in becoming involved in an arrangement involving recovery and rewards related to hijacking and stolen stock.
“So, Julius, how can we get involved? How can my team get involved with this? I mean, we can make nice deals here.”
The contemplated plan involves collaboration between Mr Mkhwanazi and Mr Van Wyk to get tip-offs from EMPD about hijacked trucks so that Mr Van Wyk's entities can recover stolen cargo and receive a 10% reward shared between them.
“...what is being contemplated here is an arrangement in terms of which Mr Mkhwanazi and Mr Van Wyk will collaborate so that Mr Van Wyk gets tip-offs from EMPD about where hijacked trucks may be and then there will be a 10% reward for recovered stock, which presumably is going to be shared.”
Mr Van Wyk asks for a letter on EMPD letterhead to facilitate weapon licensing tied to his involvement in special operations with EMPD, to expedite firearm licenses for weapons already purchased.
“I need urgently a letter from you, please, on an EMPD letterhead. I bought more firearms for the company. Just state that we are involved with you guys, busy with JV, and that we assist you with special operations, so I can just get the other firearm licenses quickly with your motivation.”
Payments were made from companies associated with Mr Matlala into the bank account of Commissioner Mkhwanazi, suggesting potential gratuities for favours.
“payment of R20,000.00 which comes with a reference Matlala ... payment with the same reference, Matlala ... another R30,000.00 payment into the account of Commissioner Mkhwanazi with the reference Matlala ... that R30,000.00 payment comes from a different company of Mr Matlala, Black AK Trading ... R30,000.00 payment on 10 December also with the reference, Matlala ... on the 8th of June a R20,000.00 payment is made into his account with the reference Matlala ... 18th of June there is a R20,000.00 payment with the reference, Matlala”
There is a WhatsApp conversation where Commissioner Mkhwanazi complains to Mr Van Wyk about his poverty, suggesting financial dependence or hardship.
“Commissioner Mkhwanazi messages Mr Van Wyk saying: "Good morning, Mike. Poverty is dealing with me. I am home."”
There was an attempt by Mr Van Wyk and Commissioner Mkhwanazi to get the MEC for Safety and Security or Municipal Policing onboard with the idea of a specialised unit to work alongside EMPD, which never materialized.
“there was an attempt by Mr Van Wyk and Mr Mkhwanazi to get the MEC for Safety and Security or Municipal Policing ... on board with this idea of a specialised unit ... but that never materialised”