Madlanga Commission: Crime Intelligence boss Khumalo reveals who is behind 'Big 5 cartel'

Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, SAPS divisional commissioner of crime intelligence has named businessmen Katiso "KT" Molefe and Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala as two of the leaders of the notorious Big Five cartel, accused of infiltrating South Africa's criminal justice system and the political sphere.

He was testifying before the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Monday. The commission is tasked with uncovering the truth behind alleged corruption, political interference, and criminality in the criminal justice system.

Khumalo, who heads the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), took the stand to shed light on alleged corruption within the police force, emphasising that serious threats to police operations originate internally, allowing external threats to infiltrate the SAPS.

Khumalo, is facing criminal charges in a separate matter, after being arrested in June at OR Tambo International Airport alongside six high-ranking police officials.

The group is under investigation for serious allegations, including fraud, corruption, and the alleged abuse of intelligence funds.

Khumalo’s arrest according to testimony from KwaZulu-Natal SAPS commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was a calculated move to shut down investigations into powerful drug cartels and organised crime.

In his testimony, Khumalo gave a background about the formation of the PKTT,  which was established at the time when political killings in KwaZulu-Natal were increasing in 2018.

Khumalo identified Molefe and Matlala as ringleaders of the Big Five cartel. He said the investigation into the other three alleged leaders is ongoing, which is why their names have not been disclosed.

He described the structure of criminal cartels, highlighting that they typically have a leader supported by a core leadership team. 

These cartels operate through syndicates, which are smaller units consisting of at least 10 members. 

The main activities of these syndicates include drug trafficking, cross-border vehicle hijacking, tender fraud and extortion related to drug trafficking.

Khumalo testified that the communication retrieved from Matlala's records indicates that Matlala or his employees made direct payments to North West businessman Brown Mogotsi. 

Mogotsi was said to be a close associate of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who initially denied knowing Mogotsi during a parliamentary hearing in March.

However, he later reversed his stance, admitting to knowing Mogotsi as a "comrade".

Khumalo said the payments by Matlala or his employees were sometimes related to expenses for ANC events, which appear to have benefited Mchunu through his chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde. 

Khumalo said: “In return Mogotsi uses his influence within the SAPS and the ministry to manipulate SAPS processes so as to frustrate criminal investigations into Vusimuzi Matlala.”

He testified that Mogotsi allegedly leaked highly confidential and classified SAPS information to Matlala. 

Furthermore, Mogotsi purportedly coordinated payments from SAPS to Medicare 24 Tshwane District, a company owned by Matlala, which was awarded a R360 million contract for health services without proper justification. 

According to Khumalo, Mogotsi made an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the SAPS from cancelling its contract with Medicare 24 Tshwane district.

He also told the commission that Mogotsi, seemingly misinformed about the investigation into Matlala, believed the PKTT was handling the case when, in fact, it was being conducted by Gauteng counter-intelligence operations. 

He cited Mogotsi's pursuit of disciplinary action against him (Khumalo), including a questionable attempt to use a December 2024 Constitutional Court judgment to discipline him for a case involving a different individual with the same surname, Khumalo.

“Mogotsi purports to have been acting in this regard with the support of the Minister of Police as well as his chief of staff Nkabinde and General Shadrack Sibiya,” Khumalo said.

Alongside Matlala’s influence on the affairs of the SAPS he has a relationship with acting Ekurhuleni Metro Police department (EMPD) chief Julius Mkhwanazi, which involves the abuse of EMPD for the benefit of Matlala.

KZN commissioner, Mkhwanazi recently told the commission that Julius Mkhwanazi allegedly helped Matlala register his private vehicles under the municipality, making them appear as municipal vehicles, using Ekurhuleni's funds.

“What the chats demonstrate is that organised crime has managed to infiltrate organised crime and EMPD at the very highest level,” Khumalo said.

Khumalo will continue with his testimony on Tuesday.