The Madlanga Commission is back in the headlines this week.
This week, Major-General Lesetja Senona, head of the KwaZulu-Natal Hawks, took to the stand defending his close – some say too close – relationship with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Matlala is accused of attempted murder and linked to the ‘Big 5’ organised crime syndicate that has kept popping up throughout the commission’s hearings. Senona, who’s been testifying since Tuesday, described Matlala as a “brother”. He admitted to staying in touch socially, even after learning of serious allegations against Matlala in March 2025, and only “gradually” distancing himself before Matlala’s arrest in May.
Senona also conceded sending Matlala messages like “take them on brother” after SAPS axed Matlala’s R360 million health contract over irregularities – urging him to lawyer up and challenge it legally.
The commission hammered him on this: as the boss of the unit investigating serious crimes, why keep chatting with someone potentially under your own Hawks’ microscope? Senona called it an “error” and inappropriate for his position, insisting it was just empathy. He faces a misconduct charge linked to this saga.
Meanwhile, Senona also accused KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of a shady quid pro quo during an April 2025 meeting in Durban (which Senona says he attended to support Matlala, arranged via ex-Minister Bheki Cele). According to Senona, Mkhwanazi allegedly offered to pause the Political Killings Task Team’s probe into Matlala (including the attempted murder case involving his ex, Tebogo Thobejane) if Matlala handed over dirt on suspended Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, like property deals and cash handovers.
Senona claimed he overheard this and found it dodgy, but didn’t report it straight away.
Mkhwanazi’s side? He’s denied it before and is expected back to respond, with WhatsApp messages suggesting Senona helped set up the meeting.
The entire saga surrounding the Madlanga Commission can be traced back to Mkhwanazi’s explosive whistleblower press conference in July last year. But as testimony unfolds, counter-allegations against him (including Senona’s claims this week) have intensified, leaving some observers to debate whether it is legitimate or a smear campaign to discredit the original whistleblower.
This all feeds into bigger concerns about conflicts of interest, leaks, and possible cartel influence at senior police levels in KZN. The commission’s interim report (delivered late last year) isn’t public yet, but President Ramaphosa has accepted its recommendations, including urgent probes into implicated officials like Senona.
It’s messy, tense stuff – and with Mkhwanazi likely returning soon, expect more sparks.
