JMPD Officer Accused of Helping Murder Suspect Molefe by Misusing Police Systems

South Africans have long whispered about the blurred lines between law enforcement and organised crime. This week, those whispers turned into hard testimony.

During explosive proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused a Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer of using state resources to protect alleged underworld figure Katiso “KT” Molefe.

A Cop Too Close to the Accused

Mkhwanazi named JMPD officer Johannes Makgatle, alleging that he acted as Molefe’s inside manrenewing vehicle licences on his behalf and even helping him identify surveillance vehicles.

Reading from an affidavit that Makgatle himself had submitted earlier this year, Mkhwanazi told the commission how the officer allegedly fetched Molefe while on duty, checked a suspicious car’s registration through the police system, and confirmed it was a police vehicle. He then returned Molefe to his home, effectively tipping him off.

“This officer used his position to benefit Mr Molefe,” Mkhwanazi said firmly. “That’s unethical and unlawful.”

The affidavit also reveals Makgatle’s ties to former detective Warrant Officer Michael Pule Tau, now also facing murder charges. The connections paint a troubling picture of how criminal suspects may have been shielded by people in uniform.

A Web of Guns, Hits, and High-Profile Murders

The Molefe case is not just another corruption headline, it is tied to a violent underworld story that has shaken South Africa’s entertainment and taxi industries.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed this week that firearms seized from Molefe’s network have been linked to 18 separate murder and attempted murder cases. Among them:

• The high-profile killing of DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards in 2022.

• The attempted murder of taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni.

• The mistaken identity killing of Armand Swart.

• Several hits in Gauteng’s volatile taxi and nightlife scene.

One AK-47 is still missing, believed to have been used in the attempted murder of socialite Tebogo Thobejane, allegedly ordered by controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Matlala, known for his wealth and private jet, now faces his own charges, from attempted murder to money laundering. Prosecutors warn he is a flight risk, with foreign assets and even a fake Eswatini ID allegedly procured through his wife.

Court Drama and What Comes Next

On Thursday, Molefe appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court alongside co-accused Tau, Musa Kekana, and Floyd Mabusela. They face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal possession of firearms. Bail was denied, and their case has been postponed to November 11, 2025, when the court will decide whether to consolidate the sprawling charges into one trial.

Outside the court, public frustration was palpable. Many South Africans are weary of hearing about officers moonlighting as fixers for criminals, and social media has been buzzing with outrage at how deeply rooted these connections appear to be.

A Commission Exposing Old Wounds

The Madlanga Commission, tasked with investigating corruption and political interference in the police, is fast becoming a mirror held up to South Africa’s broken justice system. Allegations like these cut deep in a country already sceptical about whether those in power are truly committed to tackling crime.

For families of the victims, whether DJs, taxi bosses, or ordinary bystanders, this inquiry is more than just a legal process. It’s a reckoning, a hope that the truth will finally unearth how organised crime has been able to thrive under the cover of blue lights.

And as Mkhwanazi warned, Makgatle may not be the only officer implicated. More names could follow, deepening the scandal and further eroding trust in the men and women meant to protect us.

{Source: IOL}

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