Key witness Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo is expected to take the stand on Monday to put flesh to the accusations and claims made by the first two witnesses in the past two weeks.
Khumalo, the SA Police Service (SAPS) head of crime intelligence, was central to operations of the political killings task team and is the one said to have some of the evidence of over-reach, corruption and improper relations in the police, the prosecution and the judiciary.
He was the national convener of the political killings task team, whose disbanding by police minister Senzo Mchunu is at the centre of the commission’s work.
Appearing before the commission, national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola praised Khumalo, saying he was key to solving the assassination of ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa. A car and gun used in the assassination had been linked to SAPS crime intelligence.
In their testimonies in the past two weeks, Masemola and KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told the commission part of their claims would be substantiated and gaps filled when Khumalo takes the stand.
Alleged links between politicians and Matlala
Among these gaps is evidence that links Mchunu and his predecessor, Bheki Cele, to businessman and attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate Mkhwanazi’s claims that the country’s criminal justice system has been captured and infiltrated by criminals. It is chaired by retired constitutional court justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and his co-panellists are advocates Sesi Baloyi and Sandile Khumalo.
Mkhwanazi, testifying before the commission, said Khumalo would bring evidence showing links between Matlala, Mchunu and the minister’s “comrade” Brown Mogotsi.
Alleged financial links
Khumalo is also expected to tell the commission of the “exchange of monies” and claims of direct contact between Cele and Matlala. Some of Khumalo’s evidence is pinned on Matlala’s phone records.
Matlala’s company had a tender that rendered services to the SAPS for years, even during Cele’s tenure, but was cancelled in May.
Texts expose task team leak
Mkhwanazi said texts between Mogotsi and Matlala show that Mogotsi knew about the disbanding of the task team before anything formal was communicated to him. The KwaZulu-Natal police boss provided evidence that showed Mogotsi also knew of “confidential” SAPS operations. WhatsApp texts between Mogotsi and Matlala will show that Mogotsi told him about the disbanding of the task team on January 2, Mkhwanazi said.
- July 2025: Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleges political interference and corruption, prompting President Ramaphosa to establish the commission.
- 17 Sept 2025: Hearings commence with Mkhwanazi presenting evidence of misconduct involving senior officials.
- 22 Sept 2025: National police commissioner Fannie Masemola testifies on allegations and the disbandment of the political killings task team.
- Sept 2025: Commission faces challenges due to broad mandate and tight timelines; six months may be insufficient.
- Ongoing: Gathering evidence and testimonies to uncover criminal infiltration and political interference in the justice system.
The minister had issued the directive on December 31 to Masemola’s office. Masemola was on leave at the time.
Mogotsi’s text to Matlala read: “The task team that came to your house and harassed you has been disbanded!”
The task team had raided Matlala’s house on December 6 2024. Mkhwanazi told the commission that Mchunu disbanded the task team to protect cartels — an assertion backed by Masemola.
Mkhwanazi also alleged Matlala paid for the costs of the minister’s guests at the January 8 ANC conference in Cape Town. This was also traced to Mogotsi’s and Matlala’s chats.
Khumalo will help unpack the phone record evidence.
The crime intelligence boss was also a central figure in the disbanding of the team, as deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya sent to him a directive to withdraw 121 dockets from the KwaZulu-Natal team.
He is expected to produce the paper trail that led to the deactivation of the team and the movement of the dockets.
Khumalo was the one who requested Mkhwanazi in August 2024 to send 10 members of the task team to Gauteng to help investigate high-profile murders and Matlala.
Mkhwanazi claimed it was the team’s successes in Gauteng that triggered the minister’s decision to disband the team.
Khumalo will testify before the commission while facing charges of nepotism. He was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on June 26 after the arrest of crime intelligence CFO Maj-Gen Philani Lushaba on charges of perjury, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. They are both out on bail.
Mkhwanazi told the commission that Khumalo’s arrest was a move to stop the work of the task team.
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