Lebeya returns to Madlanga, faces fresh questions over Molefe arrest

Retired Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya has returned to the Madlanga Commission to continue his testimony and faces renewed scrutiny over his alleged involvement in the arrest of Katiso “KT” Molefe.

What the commission is examining

The commission is probing allegations that Lebeya deployed Hawks officers to Molefe’s Sandton home on December 6, 2024 while another police team was carrying out the arrest, potentially interfering with the operation. Earlier testimony at the commission said officers claiming to act on Lebeya’s authority arrived at the scene.

Lebeya’s defence

Lebeya has rejected the allegations. He told the commission he did not know Katiso Molefe and said he was acting after a businessman, Malcolm X, warned him that suspected impostors were posing as Hawks officers. He said he ordered verification rather than interference.

“I do not know Katiso Molefe,”

Lebeya told the commission.

Other points raised in testimony

Lebeya also disputed claims of improper relationships with figures in the criminal underworld and questioned why he was not informed about the arrest operation. His return to give evidence has placed issues of police command, communication failures and alleged interference firmly back under the commission’s spotlight.

Next steps

The commission will continue to examine testimony and evidence related to the arrest and the conduct of officers present that day.