Police raid Centurion properties linked to SAPS members in probe into former deputy commissioner Mfazi’s death

Police have executed search warrants at properties linked to serving members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Centurion as part of an investigation into the death of former deputy national commissioner of crime detection, Lieutenant-General Sindile Mfazi.

What the police said

SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe told the SABC that two properties in Gauteng were raided and that investigators are “currently interviewing a person of interest.”

Mathe said the probe is “delicate and very sensitive,” and that she would not divulge names or identities. She told the broadcaster that “the J51 search and seizure warrants are ongoing” and that operations were continuing at other addresses.

“I can confirm that they have seized a number of electronic gadgets to corroborate basically the evidence that they’ve gathered since July 2021 when the case was handed over to the Cold Case Unit to investigate. So, we do confirm that we are investigating a full-scale murder investigation,”

Mathe said.

Background on Mfazi’s death and subsequent inquiries

The official explanation at the time was that Mfazi died “due to Covid-19-related complications” in 2021. The source material notes that Mfazi was investigating the Secret Services Account in connection with the R1.6 billion Covid-19 personal protective equipment matter when he died.

A former crime intelligence officer, former warrant officer Pilasande Dotyeni, told an Ad Hoc Committee that there were suspicions of foul play. Dotyeni said people from SAPS head office were removing Mfazi’s documents while “his body was upstairs.” He described blood at the scene and said the family pursued a post-mortem after the funeral to secure forensic evidence.

Dotyeni also said that after Mfazi’s body was exhumed and a post-mortem performed, “they found that there was casting resin in his system, which meant this man had been poisoned with casting resin, which explains why there was blood in that room because the man was choking in his own blood.” He said an inquest was opened.

Next steps in the investigation

According to Mathe, investigators have been working on the matter since July 2021 when the case was transferred to the Cold Case Unit. She confirmed seizures of electronic devices during the current searches and said interviews with persons of interest are under way.