Allegations of an arms deal involving David Mabuza's nephew emerge from Gauteng officer's testimony

Witness F, a Gauteng Organised Crime Unit officer, told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that a nephew of the late deputy president David Mabuza approached him about an arms deal venture to import guns into South Africa.

This revelation emerged at the commission's proceedings on Tuesday in Pretoria, where Witness F  testified that Mabuza’s nephew, identified as Siphiwe Mabuza, inquired about selling a compact CQC (Close Quarter Combat) 12 gauge shotgun, asking if he had “a market” for it.

“I have access to 750 units in knock-down component form ready for shipping with matching flash bang ammo at family price,” said Mabuza in a WhatsApp message to Witness F.

He said Mabuza allegedly spoke fondly of his uncle, leading Witness F to save him as “Comrade DD Mabuza Deputy President”. 

Witness F told the commission that he saved Simphiwe as DD because that is how he “felt” he should save him.

He initially did not want to disclose the identity of Siphiwe, saying he wanted to conceal it due to ongoing internal family disputes over the inheritance of Mabuza.

In a chat with Witness F, Siphiwe shared a video of gunfire.

“One of my hobbies is dedicated sport shooting. I am into firearms. I like firearms. When he sent me this, he sent it to me knowing that one of my hobbies is dedicated sport shooting,” said Witness F.

He explained to the commission that “they were planning to bring these guns from somewhere to South Africa on the market”.

Asked if he was thinking of selling any large quantities to anyone else, he said: “I was never interested in selling these guns to anyone. I was entertaining this Mabuza guy because he said that to me.

When it was suggested to him that the alleged venture was unlawful, Witness F stated he “didn't know it was illegal gun selling” and that he believed the gun deal proposal was legitimate. 

“But to the best of my knowledge, it looked legit,” he said, explaining that he assumed Siphiwe, a businessman, was exploring new ventures. 

Earlier, the commission heard that Witness F acted as a middleman between alleged crime mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and suspended SAPS Deputy Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya.

The chats suggested Matlala gifted Sibiya impalas, sparking concerns about their relationship and possible influence peddling within the SAPS.

During the testimony, the commission played a voice note sent to Witness F’s phone with an unknown person asking: “Sorry to bother you so early. Can you send me a pin drop where the bucks - impalas must go, please, sir?”

Witness F confirmed the message was from Matlala, but claimed he did not know who was speaking on the voice note.

The message, asking where to deliver impalas, was forwarded to Sibiya by Witness F.

This followed a series of calls between Matlala and Witness F, after which Matlala sent a screenshot of a message from Rudy, a farm manager.

Part of the screenshot showed Matlala instructing the farm manager to check his account again, prompting a response of “Thanks, sir, I got it.”

The commission heard that Matlala forwarded a pin with Sibiya's home address to a farm manager, who promised to catch and transport impalas there. Matlala responded: “No problem.”

Evidence Leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC said: “When we heard the evidence of Mr (Brown) Mogotsi, we looked at the chats between Mr Mogotsi and Mr Matlala, and in one of them, Mr Matlala was taking Mr Mogotsi to task and accusing him of having leaked to other people that he had paid for impalas for Sibiya. 

“It seems to me that what we are seeing in these chats is that indeed Mr Matlala did arrange for the delivery of impalas to Mr Sibiya, having paid the necessary price into the account of Rudy, farm manager, who delivered those impalas.”

Witness F distanced himself from the impala transactions, telling the commission he knows nothing about the purchase or arrangements.

The commission proceedings will resume on Wednesday.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za