An emotional Witness A, a veteran police investigator, broke down during his testimony at the Madlanga Commission, declaring he would “do it again in the next life” despite the danger of confronting ruthless criminals threatening South Africa.
“If change does not happen soon, we are doomed as a nation,” he said, his voice shaking. “I hope my evidence, in the face of real and present danger to my life, will contribute to change in the police service or at least the beginning of a positive change.”
Witness A’s gripping testimony on Tuesday revealed a network of corruption and organised crime within the South African Police Service (SAPS), linked to the fatal shooting of engineer Armand Swart — confirmed as a case of mistaken identity.
Swart was killed in Vereeniging on April 17, 2024, in what investigators now believe was a failed hit meant for a Transnet-linked whistleblower. At the centre of the allegations is underworld figure Katiso “KT” Molefe and several senior police officers accused of obstructing justice.
Witness A commended KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s July 6 media briefing as “the best thing that ever happened to South Africa,” saying it exposed “deep-rooted corruption and political interference” in SAPS.
“It meant a lot to communities and to families of people killed by violence,” he said. “I’ve met countless people who are grateful for what the police — not just my team, but many unseen officers — are doing.”
He also spoke of a close colleague, a sergeant, who was assassinated while handling a major case in Soweto. “He was gunned down for doing his job,” Witness A said. “I didn’t want to talk about it before.”
He further alleged that suspects, including Molefe, attempted to bribe their way to freedom. General Richard Shibiri of the National Organised Crime Unit was accused of suggesting bribes to court officials, allegedly saying “three envelopes” were on offer for the magistrate, prosecutor, and investigators.
“I left the meeting feeling like Shibiri wanted to find out what evidence we had and see if we could be influenced,” Witness A told the commission.
The inquiry heard that despite clear leads and identified suspects, obstruction from within SAPS has delayed justice in Swart’s murder case. Witness A concluded his testimony on Tuesday remotely, while Witness B is expected to testify next.
