Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing Chief George Raftopoulos

Pretoria, Gauteng – Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing Chief George Raftopoulos has denied claims that his unit interfered with the operation which led to the arrest of alleged underworld figure Katiso “KT” Molefe in Sandown. Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, 3 November 2025, Raftopoulos said he acted on a request from a Hawks officer and believed he was supporting a legitimate police operation. “I indicated that I don’t have any ground members available, but I can send the helicopter to see what is going on there,” he told the commission. The December 6 operation was meant to be carried out by the KZN Political Killings Task Team. However, a mix of law enforcement agencies, including the Hawks, Johannesburg Metro Police Department, and Gauteng Traffic Police arrived on the scene, raising questions about possible interference. The operation has since come under scrutiny over alleged Hawks interference and questions about how the command chain unfolded that day. Raftopoulos was led in evidence by Advocate Lee Segeels-Ncube on Monday. He told the commission that he received a call from a Captain Kruger, a member of the Hawks, who reported that there were “bogus police officers” outside Molefe’s property. Helicopter deployed to ‘observe and deter’. Raftopoulos said the airwing’s role in such situations is to observe from the air and deter potential suspects from fleeing. He authorised the deployment of the unit’s helicopter at around 16:40 that afternoon. The aircraft arrived in the Sandown area of Johannesburg within six to seven minutes. “We were told there were people outside the property pretending to be police. I decided we could assist from above to monitor what was happening,” he said. Raftopoulos explained that the helicopter maintained altitude and did not land at the scene. He added that during the flight, he received updates via a WhatsApp group created for the operation, confirming that multiple law enforcement units were involved. ‘This was a legitimate operation’. Raftopoulos said he phoned Captain Kruger while the helicopter was airborne to confirm who was in charge on the ground. “I spoke to him on the phone and he gave me the information. He indicated its General (Dumisani) Khumalo’s operation,” he said. He then shared those details with the operational WhatsApp group to ensure all teams were aware of the command structure. Based on the communication he received, he believed the operation was legitimate and authorised by SAPS. “I had no reason to doubt that the operation was official. The communication was clear, and everything appeared properly coordinated,” he testified. Video footage for record-keeping. Raftopoulos confirmed that his unit recorded short video footage of the Molefe property while hovering overhead. The footage, he said, was for operational record-keeping and to comply with Civil Aviation Authority requirements. He also provided timestamps to the commission showing the helicopter’s flight path, confirming that the aircraft left Sandown and landed back at base around 17:00. “Our system records everything, when we take off, where we go, and when we land. There’s full traceability,” he said. Rejection of interference claims. Raftopoulos expressed concern that media reports and social media speculation had created the impression that the Airwing had interfered with the Hawks’ work. He told the commission that his involvement began and ended with the aerial surveillance task and that he never instructed or questioned officers on the ground. “We were there to assist. We didn’t interfere. My duty was to make sure we provided visibility and support from the air. That’s all we did,” he said. Multiple units, conflicting accounts. The commission has heard several conflicting versions of how the December 6 takedown unfolded, including questions about whether Hawks members acted outside the official operational structure. Earlier witnesses have suggested that not all officers at the scene were properly briefed, raising the possibility of internal confusion. Raftopoulos’s testimony adds a new layer to that picture, portraying the airwing’s role as reactive support rather than interference. Advocate Segeels-Ncube questioned him about whether his unit’s presence may have caused confusion on the ground. Raftopoulos said that was unlikely. “The helicopter was visible, yes, but it’s normal for us to be deployed in such circumstances. It’s part of our deterrence strategy,” he said.

Background on the Madlanga Commission and Its Purpose

The Madlanga Commission, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was established in August 2025 to probe allegations of criminality, corruption, and political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system. This includes examining bodies like the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and intelligence services. The inquiry aims to root out undue influence and restore public faith in justice institutions, following revelations from the State Capture Commission and other probes.
Testimonies have uncovered potential networks like the “Big 5” – an alleged group of powerful figures controlling parts of the system – and links between senior police and criminal elements. The commission has heard from witnesses like Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, an alleged drug lord, who claimed ties to figures like former Police Minister Bheki Cele and suspended Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.

The Controversial Arrest of Katiso “KT” Molefe

Katiso “KT” Molefe, a 36-year-old businessman and alleged underworld figure, was arrested on 6 December 2023 in Sandown, Johannesburg, by the KZN Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). He faces charges related to taxi violence, including murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy, linked to the killings of taxi bosses in KZN. Molefe is accused of being a kingpin in the taxi industry, with ties to extortion and assassinations.
The arrest turned chaotic when multiple agencies – including the Hawks, Johannesburg Metro Police, and Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing – arrived uninvited, raising suspicions of interference to protect Molefe. Witnesses described a “circus” at the scene, with the airwing helicopter hovering overhead, potentially alerting suspects. The PKTT, led by Brigadier Sipho Mbele, claimed the extra units were not part of their plan, suggesting sabotage.
Molefe’s links to senior police, including Sibiya (his brother-in-law), have fuelled allegations of protection rackets. The commission is probing whether high-ranking officials like General Dumisani Khumalo intervened to disrupt the operation.

Raftopoulos’s Testimony: A Defence of Supportive Role

Raftopoulos, a seasoned aviation expert in the Gauteng Traffic Police, detailed how he received a call from Hawks Captain Kruger about “bogus police officers” at Molefe’s property. Believing it was under General Khumalo’s command

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Gauteng Traffic Police

Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing Chief George Raftopoulos Denies Interference in Katiso Molefe Arrest During Madlanga Commission Testimony

Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing Chief George Raftopoulos

Background on the Madlanga Commission and Its Purpose

The Controversial Arrest of Katiso “KT” Molefe

Raftopoulos’s Testimony: A Defence of Supportive Role

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