Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has seemingly responded to testimony given by “Witness A” at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System (the Madlanga Commission).
The witness, a Gauteng detective testifying in camera, name-dropped Malema, claiming he was told the politician has close ties to suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and a controversial businessman.
MALEMA REACTS
Witness A testified that he was summoned by the head of organised crime, Major-General Richard Shibiri, after the arrest of businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe, who has been linked to the murder of DJ Sumbody. During that meeting, Shibiri allegedly told him Molefe was connected to associates of both Malema and Sibiya.
“He [Shibiri] said the Z is a close friend of Julius Malema, a politician who then tends to be close to General Sibiya… So he was connecting the person we arrested to Z, and then Z to Julius Malema, and then Julius Malema, who is friend to General Sibiya,” Witness A said.
Shortly after his testimony, Malema posted on X: “You won’t find me in the wrong places.”
Molefe is allegedly a member of the so-called “Big Five cartel”, which has been linked to drug distribution, contract killings and other serious crimes.
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo also reacted online, writing: “Mang mang knows mang mang, who knows mang mang who is close to mang mang. End of submission.”
WITNESS A CALLS FOR CHANGE
In concluding his evidence, Witness A praised KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for exposing alleged corruption in the criminal justice system. He said Mkhwanazi’s public remarks “meant a lot”, adding that he hopes his own testimony will bring closure to families affected by criminality, including that of a police officer killed during an operation.
“If change does not happen soon, we are doomed as a nation. I hope that my evidence before this commission, in the face of real and present danger to my life, will contribute to a changed police service, or at the very least, the beginning of positive change,” he said.
Running parallel to the Madlanga Commission is Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations made by Mkhwanazi. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, alleged to have ties to the criminal underworld, is continuing with his testimony.
