Madlanga commission: Deceased taxi boss’s surveillance deals and marijuana muscle

Deceased taxi boss Jothan Msibi attempted to forge a deal with Swazi connections for surveillance equipment and issued threats against individuals seeking information about a commercial marijuana farm. Msibi passed away in January 2024, but WhatsApp messages were submitted to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday. Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson capitalized on these messages during the adjournment of Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's testimony to establish connections between other witnesses.

The messages primarily revolved around a surveillance equipment deal involving European companies, Msibi, Katiso 'KT' Molefe, and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi. Other messages shed light on Msibi's willingness to provide muscle for intimidation tactics to business owners. Evidence revealed a deal with a Czech company for surveillance devices that mimic cellular towers to capture mobile device data.

A man known as Shaun Jacobs (actually Sergeant Nkosi) contacted Sergeant Nkosi on behalf of the Czechs, presenting a document for the Czech government to review. Chaskalson showed that Msibi, Molefe, and Steve Motsumi used this letter to seek buyers in Eswatini. The commission also uncovered Motsumi and Msibi's plans to travel to Europe to secure R1.6 million worth of tactical equipment for Themy Styles, a company owned and directed by Msibi and Molefe.

However, the Swazi deal fell apart when Nkosi stopped responding to Jacobs, leaving paperwork incomplete and the partners dissatisfied. In another instance, Msibi employed security for a marijuana cultivation project in Germiston, receiving a link to a 11ha space in November 2021 and later receiving assistance in intimidating the grow team.