MADLANGA COMMISSION: Former Hawks boss exposes factional rifts after chaotic ‘KT’ Molefe arrest
The evidence of former Hawks head Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya points to deeper fault lines within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies, where investigations and high-profile raids have become entangled in factional battles, competing interests and allegations of misconduct.
Former Hawks head Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya testified before the Madlanga Commission that factional tensions within South Africa's law enforcement agencies contributed to a chaotic arrest of crime boss Katiso "KT" Molefe on December 6, 2024. The incident at Molefe's Sandhurst, Sandton home saw both the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and Gauteng Organised Crime Unit (GOCU) raiding the property, leading to a standoff between the rival police units.
Lebeya recounted how a simple phone call between senior police officers could have prevented the confusion that unfolded during the arrest, but former Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo had withheld information due to concerns about compromised SAPS units. Lebeya also criticized Khumalo for failing to check on the Hawks' presence at the scene, which he claimed would have avoided the "unintended outcomes" including the risk of "friendly fire".
The Madlanga Commission's revelations have exposed fault lines between SAPS units, with Gauteng Hawks boss Ebrahim Kadwa and Crime Intelligence executive Feroz Khan facing criminal charges. KZN Hawks leader Lesetja Senona has resigned amid serious accusations.
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