KZN Hawks’ Deena Govender faces Madlanga Commission over alleged 2023 police killings

KZN Hawks colonel Deena Govender returned to the Madlanga Commission on Monday to continue his testimony amid allegations linking him to a deadly 2023 police operation and large payments, according to IOL.

Allegations put to Govender

According to IOL, Govender has been implicated in alleged extra-judicial killings following the deaths of tow-truck operator Bevan Loftus and four other men during a police operation in 2023. An officer from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Len John, told the commission that Govender received separate payments totalling more than R2 million around the time of the shooting, the report said.

Govender rejects the claims

Govender rejected the allegations at the commission and maintained that the operation was lawful. He said the men were linked to drug-related crimes and defended the payments.

“All the payments are legitimate,”

Public testimony after partial denial of in-camera bid

IOL reports Govender had sought to testify in-camera, but that request was partially denied, leaving him to face the allegations publicly at the commission.

Related reporting and context

IOL has published several related pieces, including articles that examined the killing of Bevan Loftus and coverage of testimony at the Madlanga Commission. According to IOL, one such headline read: “Gregory Loftus at Madlanga Commission: How IOL broke the killing of Hollywood gang members”.

According to IOL, the outlet is “one of South Africa’s leading news and information websites bringing millions of readers breaking news and updates on Politics, Current Affairs, Business, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Travel, Sport, Motoring and Technology.”

The Madlanga Commission continues to hear testimony and examine allegations of criminality and corruption within the criminal justice system, with Govender’s testimony forming part of those proceedings, IOL reported.