LIVE | Madlanga Commission Day 51: Ballistics expert testifies amid Tembisa Hospital scandal probe
Madlanga Commission is resuming its hearings with a new witness.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers
Forensic Analyst Captain Laurance Makgotle from the South African Police Service is testifying on day 51 at the Madlanga Commission hearings in Pretoria on Monday.
His testimony will be centred around ballistics analysis.
The development follows a dramatic week of testimony by suspended KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Hawks head Lesetja Senona, who spent several days under intense questioning about his relationship with controversial tender businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Matlala has been linked to the multi-billion-rand Tembisa Hospital looting scandal, first exposed by murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran.
Senona acknowledged a close “brotherly” bond with Matlala but claimed ignorance of investigations by the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into the businessman.
His explanation drew sharp scrutiny from evidence leaders and commissioners.
Tensions escalated further on Saturday when Senona was forcibly removed from his Durban office by South African Police Service (SAPS) members.
Several state-issued electronic devices were seized, days after President Cyril Ramaphosa received the commission’s three-month interim report.
The report, submitted on December 17, names 14 individuals allegedly implicated in wrongdoing.
Senona is among five senior officers earmarked for investigation by a newly established special task team reporting directly to National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola.
The team will also probe senior figures including Maj-Gen Richard Shibiri, Brigadiers Mbangwa Nkhwashu and Rachel Matjeng, suspended EMPD acting head Julius Mkhwanazi, and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, accused of acting as a money collector for suspended deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
Ramaphosa has instructed acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and Masemola to act decisively on the findings.
However, questions persist over accountability at the highest political level.
Meanwhile, the suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has not been mentioned in the president’s directives yet, despite serious allegations raised before the commission.
The presidency said Ramaphosa will only act on Mchunu after the commission completes its work.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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