WATCH | Helicopter operator denies claims that Hawks interfered in Molefe's arrest

The Madlanga Commission will hear further testimony from witnesses involved in the takedown of the notorious businessman, Katiso “KT” Molefe at his multimillion rand home in Sandhurst, Johannesburg last year.

The hearings resumed at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College at 9:30am on Monday.

On the stand is Chief Provincial Inspector George Raftopoulos of the Gauteng Traffic police. He is helicopter operator who was deployed to hover over Molefe's home during his arrest. 

Molefe was arrested on December 6,2024 by members of the Gauteng Counterintelligence Operations Unit (GCIOPS), with the help of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in connection with the murder of engineer Armand Swart.

Molefe is believed to be part of one kingpins of the Big 5 cartel.

Swart was gunned down outside his workplace in Vereeniging on April 17,2024.

Last week, the commission heard testimony implicating the suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in alleged associations with underworld kingpin, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Molefe.

Several witnesses provided compelling and, at times, unsettling accounts suggesting the possible infiltration of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Witness C told the commission that he secretly funded Mchunu’s presidential ambitions through ANC events, pouring hundreds of thousands of rands into the campaign of the man once tipped to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“Matlala said Mchunu had presidential ambitions,” Witness C revealed.“He didn’t believe Mchunu would win, but he was afraid to discourage him.”

Meanwhile, the Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee probing SAPS corruption is scheduled to reconvene its hearings on Tuesday, where further evidence and witness statements are expected to be presented.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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