Madlanga probe questions Govender over R300k ATM deposits and alleged R2.5m hit

KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Colonel Deena Govender faced intense questioning at the Madlanga Commission after a rapid sequence of cash deposits and allegations linked to the 2023 killing of tow‑truck operator Bevan Loftus could not be fully explained.

ATM deposits and the mother-in-law explanation

According to IOL, Govender told the commission that more than R300,000 was deposited through 37 separate R10,000 ATM transactions within roughly an hour. He said the money had been given to him by his mother-in-law to help finance a property purchase and that he deposited it after hours.

The account drew sharp responses from the commission. Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga told Govender, “What you are saying is nonsensical,” while Co-Commissioner Advocate Sandile Khumalo questioned why someone would repeatedly feed large cash sums into an ATM instead of using a different method, saying it “smells of money laundering.”

Allegations tied to Bevan Loftus’s killing

According to IOL, the commission has heard an allegation that a R2.5 million ‘hit’ was offered for Bevan Loftus’s murder. Govender denied claims that he received money from rival tow‑truck operator Clive Naicker to arrange the killing, calling the allegation fabricated.

“They are fabricating all this to get to me… this is a lie… my family is watching, how am I going to face the public,” Govender said.

Govender also rejected suggestions by Bevan’s father, former police officer Gregory Loftus, that the killing was an assassination disguised as a legitimate police operation. He told the commission he did not act alone and followed protocol.

Financial trail and further questions

According to IOL, investigators have raised questions about a financial trail of about R2.7 million involving Govender and his wife. The report notes the R2.7m trail and the alleged R2.5m hit are distinct amounts.

Testimony paused

Govender said his interactions with Gregory Loftus related to efforts to locate Bevan in connection with gang-related investigations and alleged shootings, and that police wanted to question or arrest Bevan. His testimony was postponed to a date to be announced, according to IOL.