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KZN Hawks Chief’s Testimony Delayed as R360m SAPS Tender Scandal Deepens
The KZN Hawks Head, Major General Lesetja Senona, was meant to face the Madlanga Commission this week. Instead, his highly anticipated testimony has been pushed to 27 January 2026, creating a fresh wave of public interest and speculation around one of the most troubling police corruption allegations to reach the commission so far.
The postponement was confirmed shortly after Senona arrived at the inquiry venue, where legal representatives agreed on a new date. For many watching the commission, the delay only heightens the pressure around a case that has already captured national attention.
A R360 million contract at the centre of the storm
At the heart of the matter is a massive SAPS contract valued at R360 million. Witnesses who have appeared before the Madlanga Commission claim that the deal may have been steered with improper influence and possibly facilitated by alleged criminal kingpin Vusimusi CAT Matlala. The commission has publicly stated that Senona is accused of helping Matlala gain access to the lucrative contract.
Senona has not yet testified and has not publicly addressed the allegations. That silence has added to the public curiosity around what his January appearance may reveal.
Senior SAPS leaders raise long-standing concerns
The inquiry was established to investigate the extent to which organised criminal networks may have infiltrated South African law enforcement. In previous weeks, several top police leaders gave testimony that painted an increasingly worrying picture.
Crime intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo and KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi both told the commission that they had raised internal concerns about Senona’s conduct. Their statements suggested that decisions linked to the Hawks Head may have compromised operational independence and internal policing integrity.
These concerns are not minor observations. In policing culture, senior officers rarely speak openly about colleagues unless the problems are serious. The fact that these warnings were documented and delivered under oath adds weight to the allegations now being examined.
A turning point for the inquiry
Senona’s upcoming testimony is expected to become one of the most critical sessions the Madlanga Commission has held. Investigators want to understand how a suspected criminal network could have influenced policing structures, as well as whether senior officials allowed it to happen or failed to intervene when warning signs appeared.
South Africans following the proceedings have shared mixed reactions online. Some believe the commission is uncovering long-suspected problems that have quietly weakened law enforcement for years. Others are frustrated by the slow pace and want accountability to move faster. In a country where trust in policing has taken multiple knocks, the commission represents both a mirror and a test. What it uncovers could shape future reforms in SAPS leadership, procurement, and oversight.
For now, the commission has adjourned until Friday. All eyes are set on January, when Senona will finally be expected to answer questions that may define the direction of the inquiry.
Also read: Juliet Newell Is Back on SABC but South Africans Still Want the Truth
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: EWN
