Madlanga Commission | Shongwe claims he was threatened over Khan probe

uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party Member of Parliament, Vusi Tulane Shongwe, says he was warned that he was “treading on dangerous territory” days after questioning forensic investigator, Paul O’Sullivan, about why he had investigated former acting National Commissioner, Khomotso Phahlane, instead of suspended Crime Intelligence head, Major-General Feroz Khan.

Shongwe told the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday that, in the weeks leading up to the incident, he also received warnings that he could be targeted for pursuing matters involving certain law enforcement officials and controversial figures.

He said the events unfolded after O’Sullivan’s appearance before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating alleged corruption and criminality within South Africa’s criminal justice system.

According to Shongwe, tobacco businessman, Yusuf Kajee, later video-called Khan in his presence, allowing him to speak directly with the suspended Crime Intelligence boss.

Shongwe alleged that during the call, Khan invited him to his Sandton home and suggested he could “ask for anything”, which he interpreted as an attempt to win his support.

He further claimed that Kajee later urged him to stop criticising Khan and offered him a tender worth R2.2 million per month.

Shongwe told the commission he believed the pair was attempting to entrap him so they could later implicate him in wrongdoing.

Hefurther alleged that when he later visited Khan’s Sandton residence, he was shown one of three bulletproof BMW vehicles and was told he could have one if he spoke favourably about Khan during the parliamentary inquiry.

Shongwe also testified that he was hijacked and kidnapped the night before the committee questioned alleged crime figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.

Despite the incident, Shongwe said he attended the committee meeting the following day, determined to question Matlala.

He told the commission he intended to ask Matlala about allegations that a cocaine consignment seized in Aeroton had been moved to the SAPS Academy in Pretoria West instead of the Forensic Science Laboratory.

He said he had driven to visit his pastor in Tembisa when he and the pastor’s daughter were allegedly abducted outside the property. A hijacking and kidnapping case was subsequently opened.

Shongwe said his allocated questioning time expired before he raise the issue with Matlala.

He further alleged that Matlala secured a tender linked to the police college to gain access to the facility and claimed Khan may have assisted with storing the drugs there without detection.

Shongwe also claimed that Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, opposed the proposal for Khan to appear before the committee.

He said political parties were invited to submit names of potential witnesses and although the EFF initially included Khan, Malema later argued that there was no need for him to testify.

Shongwe further alleged that Khan once assaulted a colleague and that the subsequent criminal case was later abandoned.

He claimed Crime Intelligence investigator, Junaid Johnson, who had initially been assigned to investigate the matter, was promoted to brigadier before the case was dropped.

Shongwe alleged the promotion was linked to the handling of the investigation and further claimed Johnson’s wife, Advocate Andrea Johnson, served on the panel that selected candidates for the brigadier post.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao