‘No pressure from my office’: Mathale on Khawula arrest claims | Madlanga Commission

Police Deputy Police Minister, Cassel Mathale, has denied allegations that he pressured the suspended deputy police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, to effect an arrest on social commentator Musa Khawula.

In explosive testimony, Witness F told the Madlanga Commission that Sibiya had told Mathale that he wanted Khawula arrested following a series of incendiary online posts about Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

According to Witness F, the message was relayed through the head of organised crime, Major-General Richard Shibiri.

He further told the Commission that Shibiri was in direct contact with Khawula and, at times, urged him to stop posting about Matlala.

Mathale rejected the version outright. “I have never had any such discussion with General Sibiya for the arrest of Musa Khawula or any other person,” he said in a written response.

“I am also not aware of anyone who would have exerted such pressure from my office.”

During questioning by evidence leader Matthew Chaskelson SC, Witness F said the alleged pressure escalated after Khawula posted on X on May 8, accusing ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula’s wife, Nozuko Mbalula, and Michelle Perrow of involvement in a R150 million fraud and corruption scheme.

The allegations were strongly denied at the time.

The commission heard that police then moved to arrest Khawula in January 2025 under the Cybercrimes Act and on a charge of crimen injuria.

In a move that drew sharp scrutiny, officers enlisted Matlala’s private security company to assist in tracking Khawula, citing Matlala’s purported knowledge of the blogger’s weekend movements.

Witness F told the commission he shared only the arrest warrant with Matlala and believed he was acting lawfully on instruction.

The commission noted, however, that the incident was among several where confidential police documents were improperly shared with civilians, raising questions about command, accountability, and interference.

Witness F will continue his testimony on Friday.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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