Madlanga Commission | KT Molefe’s son and nephew on the run

Witness B has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe’s nephew, Lucky, and his son, Thapelo, have been on the run since December last year.

Molefe is accused of orchestrating the 2024 murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart — believed to have been a case of mistaken identity after a whistleblower at Q-Tech flagged irregularities at Transnet.

According to Witness B, arrest warrants were issued simultaneously in December 2024 for Molefe and his nephew, Lucky. While Molefe was apprehended, his nephew and son remain at large.

She told the commission that investigators had obtained WhatsApp messages exchanged among members of the so-called Big 5 cartel, suggesting the criminal network was helping the pair evade capture.

The commission also heard voice notes allegedly shared among cartel members warning the fugitives to stay off the police radar.

Another person also warned Molefe’s nephew and son to stay out of the public eye at all costs.

Witness B further testified that during a search-and-seizure operation at Molefe’s mansion, Johannesburg Metro Police Department officer John Mokgatle arrived at the scene, allegedly attempting to disrupt the investigation and claiming Molefe had summoned him. Mokgatle is also reportedly responsible for registering Molefe’s car licence plates.

The witness conceded that carrying out her duties as a police officer has never been easy — particularly in the case involving Molefe and former warrant officer Pule Tau.

She revealed that an inmate held at the same prison as Tau confessed that R350,000 had been set aside to eliminate investigators handling Swart’s murder case.

According to her testimony, after Molefe’s arrest, an inmate repeatedly contacted her claiming to have crucial information about the assassination plot. When they eventually met, he revealed that R50,000 of the R350,000 bounty had already been paid to prepare for the planned hit.

“He further told us the price that was going to be paid for the elimination of the investigating officers was R 350 000 and he said R 50 000 has already been paid up for preparations,” she said.

The witness further alleged that the inmate — who admitted to being part of the group tasked to carry out the hit — had obtained her contact details from Tau’s daughter, Manana.

She wrapped up her testimony today after delivering it anonymously over two days to protect her identity.

Witness B described repeated threats and interference in police investigations, saying she had faced constant intimidation while handling high-profile criminal cases.

She added that her family had also been threatened, with messages claiming they were being followed and could be attacked at any time.

The witness said her life has been severely disrupted and that she now lives in a safe house, separated from her children.

Witness C is expected to take the stand tomorrow morning.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao