Courts & Legal
Hawks boss questioned at Madlanga Commission over R360 million SAPS deal
Hawks boss in the spotlight at Madlanga Commission
Day 47 of the Madlanga Commission opened with a familiar tension in the room as KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major General Lesetja Senona finally took the stand in Pretoria. For weeks, his name has hovered over the inquiry. On Tuesday morning, it moved from the margins to centre stage.
Senona is testifying over allegations that he assisted alleged criminal kingpin Vusimusi “CAT” Matlala in securing a R360 million contract with the South African Police Service. It is one of the most serious claims yet to surface at the commission, which is already reshaping public trust in law enforcement leadership.
The hearing is being held at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, where the commission has become a daily fixture for political watchers, legal analysts, and an increasingly sceptical public.
Why this testimony matters
Senona was meant to testify last month, but after a brief appearance, an agreement was reached for his evidence to continue in January. That delay only heightened interest. In South Africa’s current climate, postponements around accountability rarely go unnoticed.
The commission itself has accused Senona of playing a role in helping Matlala secure the lucrative SAPS deal. While Senona has yet to fully respond to these claims, his testimony is expected to be closely scrutinised for both what is said and what is avoided.
This appearance follows evidence by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who previously addressed the controversial disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. Together, the testimonies are building a broader picture of how power, contracts, and policing intersect behind closed doors.
The bigger picture behind the inquiry
The Madlanga Commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations of corruption and the infiltration of the judiciary. From the outset, the inquiry was positioned as a test of whether South Africa’s institutions could still police themselves.
In a recent statement, the commission confirmed that dozens more witnesses are expected to testify in the coming months. This signals that Senona’s appearance is not a climax but part of a longer reckoning.
Public reaction and what comes next
On social media, reactions have been swift and divided. Some South Africans see the commission as long-overdue accountability. Others remain wary, questioning whether any real consequences will follow once the hearings conclude. The phrase “another commission” has become shorthand for both hope and frustration.
What is clear is that the stakes are high. Allegations involving hundreds of millions of rand, senior police officials, and organised crime cut to the heart of public confidence in the justice system.
As the Madlanga Commission continues, Senona’s testimony may prove to be one of its defining moments. Whether it brings clarity or deepens the questions will shape how this inquiry is remembered long after day 47 fades from the headlines.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Madlanga Commission
