Madlanga Commission | WhatsApp exchanges between Mkhwanazi and Nkosi come under scrutiny

The Madlanga Commission has heard that KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, exchanged WhatsApp messages with Sergeant Fannie Nkosi on the night Crime Intelligence head, General Dumisani Khumalo, was arrested.

This was revealed as Nkosi was questioned by the commission on Tuesday about his interactions with Mkhwanazi, with evidence indicating frequent communication between the pair.

Screenshots presented at the commission show a series of voice calls between the two, most of which were initiated by Nkosi, as well as informal exchanges. These included the sharing of a Tupac song ‘Still Breathing’, shortly after Khumalo’s arrest.

Khumalo was arrested on 26 June last year at O.R. Tambo International Airport by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on allegations of fraud and corruption.

Explaining the exchange, Nkosi told the commission it was unrelated to the arrest and purely incidental.

The commission also heard that WhatsApp communications between Nkosi and suspended deputy national police commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, are under scrutiny.

Nkosi previously testified that Sibiya had forwarded him a document relating to an inquiry into alleged kidnapper Ismael Nangi, instructing him to show it to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Nkosi said he understood from prior discussions that he was expected to act as an intermediary between Sibiya and Matlala.

Nkosi denied having any knowledge of allegations that kidnapped Pretoria businessman Jerry Boshoga was moved to Nangi’s home during a police raid on Matlala’s property in December 2024.

Boshoga had disappeared the previous month after reportedly attending a business meeting in Centurion. Nkosi acknowledged that he was aware of allegations linking Matlala to the kidnapping.

“Even though I didn’t ask him then, but because of previously it was communicated between myself and General Sibiya together with Matlala that anything that he wants from Matlala or what ever that Matlala wants from him and can’t get of General Sibiya it must go via me. So when General Sibiya sent that document, I know it was for Mr. Matlala,” Nkosi said.

Further evidence presented at the commission included WhatsApp exchanges suggesting Nkosi and Sibiya had discussed another senior police official.

Nkosi also confirmed that he sent Sibiya a photograph of a crime intelligence officer who had been arrested at the time, saying the image was already circulating on police platforms and in the media.

During earlier testimony, Sibiya told the commission that his relationship with Nkosi was largely professional and that they seldom engaged in casual communication. However, Nkosi maintained that he had merely forwarded information that was already in the public domain.

Nkosi has reiterated that his role in these interactions was limited to relaying information and following instructions.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao