Former police commissioner Riah Phiyega has denied ever meeting alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala after explosive recordings played before the Madlanga commission
Latest testimony at parliament’s police inquiry adds to the number of officials not consulted by suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu before disbanding the political killing task team
But police officials tell commission about cases of interference
Witness describes a clash between a KwaZulu-Natal-based task unit and a Gauteng-based Hawks unit
Latest testimony at parliament’s police inquiry adds to the number of officials not consulted by suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu before disbanding the political killing task team
Bheki Cele, who was police commissioner from 2009 until he was dismissed in 2011, criticised his successor Riah Phiyega’s handling of the 2012 tragedy
Former minister’s testimony alleged corruption and political interference
Cele said he had tried to meet his successor to discuss the issue after leaving office, but his calls went unanswered
The ANC treasurer general denied knowing the alleged underworld figure, as well as equally controversial North West businessman Brown Mogotsi
While admitting to his failure to consult before ordering the disbanding of a political killings task team, the suspended police minister denied any links to criminal syndicates
The anonymous witness said frequent interference in the investigation of murder suspect Katiso Molefe showed how far his influence reached in the police service
He contradicted the deputy national commissioner, who said he took the dockets from the task team because he ‘could not disobey an order from the minister
The witness, who has requested anonymity, told the Madlanga commission he was invited to parties with senior officials who wanted to influence his investigation of the Armand Swart murder case
The unidentified witness implicated staff the Johannesburg central police station in collusion with drug cartels and sanctioned hits
Mchunu told parliament’s ad hoc committee that he had briefed President Cyril Ramaphosa on the disbandment
Suspended minister defends his order to disband the task team
The commission is expected to resume sitting on Thursday
The deputy national commissioner has accused the KwaZulu-Natal police boss of using corruption allegations as part of a succession battle within the service
The deputy national commissioner defended the disbandment of the team, saying its budget should support broader crime-fighting efforts
The deputy national commissioner said he doubts the authenticity of WhatsApp messages allegedly implicating him
The deputy national police commissioner argued that two members of parliament should recuse themselves because they are complainants in criminal cases against him
Nkabinde claimed the purpose of the operation was to delete crucial evidence that would disprove Mkhwanazi’s allegations
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner is grilled in parliament on accusations against the minister
The embattled deputy national police commissioner told journalists that he felt betrayed by his colleagues and national commissioner Fannie Masemola.
During the hearing by parliament’s ad hoc on police corruption, MPs sidestepped the suspended minister’s role in the infiltration of the criminal justice system by cartels
The KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner said Mkhwanazi told the parliament committee that several officers who served in the task team on political killings had since been arrested for corruption and other crimes
Mogotsi has confirmed receiving an invitation to respond to allegations against him made at the Madlanga commission
The committee was forced to adjourn after the EFF leader objected to the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner submitting the same statement given to the Madlanga commission
Further details linking suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu to cartel figures emerged
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola said Khumalo was ‘in good spirits and taking health advice from his physician’
The Madlanga commission heard testimony about text messages between Mokgotsi and Matlala that detailed payments to the suspended police minister, manipulation of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and the sharing of classified information
Crime intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo told the Madlanga commission that text messages from cartel leader Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala exposed links to ANC politics and police interference.