Retired Hawks head Dr Godfrey Lebeya testified at the Madlanga Commission this week.
Image: Itumeleng English / ANAStudio
This week the Madlanga Commission heard of a disturbing web of alleged police influence, lucrative contracts, taxi-industry violence and shadowy relationships, as businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, retired Hawks boss Dr Godfrey Lebeya and taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni testified on the politics of power and protection in South Africa.
Across their appearances, one theme kept resurfacing: the blurred line between legitimate business, policing and alleged criminal networks.
Matlala faced the toughest questions over his relationships with senior police figures and businessman Hangwani Maumela.
He admitted that he and Maumela shared profits from successful contracts, despite having no written agreement governing their arrangement.
Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga heard explosive testimony from three witnesses this week, from the alleged criminal world, the police and the taxi industry.
Image: Itumeleng English / ANAStudio
But when questioning moved towards allegations of benefits being provided to police officials, Matlala became increasingly cautious, repeatedly invoking his right against self-incrimination.
One of the most pressing issues was the allegation that Matlala delivered 20 impalas to the farm of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
Matlala declined to answer questions about the allegation, saying he did not want to incriminate himself.
He also admitted receiving R20,000 from former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss Major-General Lesetja Senona, describing it as a loan after police raids on his home had left him unable to access his money.
Matlala denied knowing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu or ever meeting him.
He also revealed that former police minister Bheki Cele had arranged a meeting between him and KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Alleged cartel boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala at the Madlanga Commission.
Image: Itumeleng English / ANAStudio
Then came Lebeya.
The retired Hawks boss rejected suggestions that he knew alleged underworld figure Katiso “KT” Molefe or had interfered with a police operation targeting him at his Sandton home in December 2024.
“I don't know” Molefe was Lebeya’s emphatic position.
Yet his evidence raised its own questions.
He acknowledged acting after receiving information from a civilian about the operation and questioned why Crime Intelligence boss General Dumisani Khumalo had not informed him that the unit was moving against Molefe.
Lebeya also said he refused to provide private investigator Paul O’Sullivan with information about the Phala Phala investigation.
Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, at the Madlanga Commission.
Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL News
If Matlala’s testimony was marked by caution and denial, Sibanyoni’s evidence opened another window into alleged organised violence.
The taxi boss told the commission that some taxi associations use “bucket money”, pooled funds that can allegedly be used to pay hitmen.
He said payments could also involve access to lucrative taxi routes, creating another incentive for violent battles over control.
Sibanyoni further alleged that security companies from KZN had been brought into taxi ranks to intimidate people, including through the display of high-calibre firearms.
He told the commission he had survived two assassination attempts, in 2006 and 2022.
While the three men's testimonies have not established guilt, they have, however, provided competing versions of how influence, money, policing and violence intersect in the country.
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