Shared Minister’s Company Documents via WhatsApp
By Thabo Mosia
Pretoria –
A major revelation at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has intensified the ongoing feud between KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, as evidence leader Advocate Adila Hassim exposed a WhatsApp message where businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala shared sensitive company documents linked to the minister.
During Senona’s testimony, he admitted receiving the document from Matlala but claimed he never opened it and had no idea why it was sent, nor did he ask about it.
The message, dated 13 April 2025, contained a file titled “Memo Biz Traces to April 2020”, detailing business traces related to Senzo and Tembeka Mchunu’s company.
This disclosure has prompted Hassim to recall Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to address inconsistencies, raising serious questions about information sharing, potential leaks, and corruption within South Africa’s police ranks.
For ordinary citizens struggling with high crime rates, this deepening crisis erodes trust in those meant to protect them, highlighting how personal ties and hidden dealings might undermine the fight against wrongdoing.
The WhatsApp Revelation: A Document That Raises Eyebrows
The bombshell came during Senona’s evidence-in-chief, where he read out a text message from Mkhwanazi that referenced the shared document.
Senona confirmed meeting Matlala on the afternoon of 13 April 2025, after which Matlala sent the file via WhatsApp.
The document, titled “Memo Biz Traces to April 2020”, reportedly contained business traces connected to Minister Mchunu’s company, including details that could imply improper dealings or investigations.
Senona acknowledged the receipt of the documents but says he didn’t open the documents and doesn’t know why Matlala send his such document and he didn’t ask him.
He insisted the exchange was not suspicious and that he had no interest in the contents, viewing it as unrelated to his work.
Hassim pressed him on why he did not question Matlala or report the message, pointing to a “beneficial relationship” where Senona allegedly protected Matlala and shared sensitive police information.
This revelation ties into broader allegations that Matlala used his connections to influence police actions, including halting investigations in exchange for information on rivals.
Witness X previously testified that Senona and Matlala maintained close ties, with Matlala boasting about protection from high-ranking officers.
For someone trying to understand the implications, imagine a businessman sending confidential business traces about a powerful minister to a top cop – it suggests a level of trust or collusion that could compromise official duties, potentially allowing corruption to thrive unchecked.
Senona’s Defence: Denials Amid Accusations of Leaks
Senona has firmly denied any wrongdoing, claiming his interactions with Matlala were limited to gathering crime intelligence as an informant.
He accused Mkhwanazi of sending threatening messages after Matlala shared details of their meetings, including one at Parliament’s ad hoc committee.
Senona said Mkhwanazi offered to use his influence to stop probes into Matlala if he provided dirt on figures like former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya.
He described the relationship as casual, starting in 2020 through a police contact, and insisted no favours were exchanged.
However, Hassim challenged this, questioning why Matlala felt comfortable sharing such sensitive documents if their ties were purely professional.
Senona’s hesitation to open the file and lack of follow-up has fuelled suspicions that he may have been protecting interests or avoiding scrutiny.
Additional context shows Senona’s son Thato received R30,000 from Matlala, which Senona called a repaid loan for school fees, not a bribe.
These details paint a picture of intertwined personal and professional links that the commission is unpicking to reveal any corruption.
Mkhwanazi’s Role: Impending Recall to Clarify Contradictions
Hassim announced Mkhwanazi’s recall due to the text’s contents clashing with his earlier testimony.
Mkhwanazi denied improper dealings with Matlala, describing them as routine. But Senona’s evidence suggests Mkhwanazi promised protection, including halting investigations for information on rivals.
The April meeting’s details, reflected in Mkhwanazi’s messages to Senona, add weight to claims of bias.
Mkhwanazi’s return could expose more on internal rivalries and how they impact probes into political killings. As KZN’s top cop, his credibility is on the line, with accusations of using power to shield allies while targeting foes.
The Madlanga Commission: Uncovering Police Corruption and Killings
The Madlanga Commission probes the 2017 murder of ANC councillor Sindiso Magaqa and over 100 related political killings in KZN since 2011.
Many tie to tender disputes and power grabs. Testimonies implicate figures like suspended Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya in removing dockets and taking payoffs from Matlala, up to R1 million monthly.
Witnesses, including undercover operatives, have shared recordings of pressure to lie.
Senona’s testimony adds to this, defending his actions while accusing Mkhwanazi. The commission, led by retired judge Dikgang Moseneke, aims for reforms to clean up SAPS.
Broader Implications: Erosion of Trust and Calls for Accountability
This crisis erodes public faith in policing, especially in KZN where violence is rife. If leaders like Senona and Mchunu are entangled, it hampers crime-fighting. Civil groups demand independent probes and transparency.
Sibiya’s suspension over similar claims shows high stakes. As more details emerge, like Matlala’s alleged CIA ties, it fuels suspicions of widespread rot.
Families of killing victims wait years for justice, hoping the commission leads to change.
In a nation with high crime, this highlights the need for ethical leadership.
Hassim’s revelation pushes for truth, ensuring no one hides behind positions. South Africans hope for a SAPS that serves all, free from hidden agendas.
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