Hearing record
Day 44
Witness: Julius Mkhwanazi +1 more
Julius Mkhwanazi finishes his evidence - conceding at least R70,000 in payments from Matlala and that he 'prayed' for Matlala's R360m SAPS contract - before suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu opens his own testimony on the disbanding of the political killings task team.
The day in brief
What you need to know
- The commission was shown bank statements indicating Mkhwanazi received at least R70,000 from Matlala, transferred through three companies, which evidence leaders characterised as gratification payments.
- Mkhwanazi testified that he prayed for Matlala to secure a R360 million SAPS contract, saying Matlala had promised him a lucrative business future and early retirement.
- Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu then began testifying on his decision to disband the National Political Killings Task Team (NPKTT).
- Justice Madlanga grilled Mchunu on his failure to consult senior SAPS leaders before disbanding the team.
- Mchunu is answering allegations, made by KZN commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, that he had links to Matlala via alleged intermediary Brown Mogotsi and disbanded the team to shield a criminal syndicate.
- Mchunu denies wrongdoing; the payments and prayers described relate to the EMPD's Julius Mkhwanazi, a separate individual.
Full coverage
The day, in depth
R70,000 and a prayer
Evidence leaders presented bank statements showing transfers to Julius Mkhwanazi from three companies linked to Matlala, totalling at least R70,000, which the commission described as gratification. Mkhwanazi's testimony that he had 'prayed' for Matlala to win a R360 million SAPS contract, in exchange for a promised business future and early retirement, became the day's defining line.
Mchunu takes the stand
The suspended police minister began his long-awaited evidence on the New Year's Eve directive that disbanded the NPKTT. Justice Madlanga pressed him on why he did not consult SAPS leadership first. Mchunu is responding to allegations of links to Matlala and intermediary Brown Mogotsi, and that the task team was probing Matlala when it was shut down; he denies the accusations.
In their words
Key moments from the record
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Our analysis
The bottom line
The R70,000 transfers and the 'prayer' for a SAPS contract give the commission something concrete to weigh: documented money movement alongside an admitted hope that a connected businessman would win state work. Whether that crosses into gratification is for the commission and, ultimately, prosecutors to assess. We report it as evidence led and testimony given, not as proven corruption.
Mchunu's arrival shifts the inquiry from metro-level dealings to the national political question at its core - why an anti-assassination unit was dissolved. Madlanga's focus on the absence of consultation suggests process, not just motive, will be tested. Mchunu is entitled to the presumption of innocence throughout.
Analysis is the archive’s own comment on the public proceedings, grounded in the record above. It weighs the evidence and the process; questions of individual guilt are for the courts and the commission to decide. Everyone named is presumed innocent.
Follow the threads
Who Julius Mkhwanazi connects to
Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
Routinely confused with the KZN commissioner; Julius Mkhwanazi is the suspended EMPD deputy chief, an entirely different person.
View profile →WhatsApp counterpart in the blue-lights evidenceMichael van Wyk
Evidence led on 22 June 2026 placed Mkhwanazi as the EMPD official van Wyk messaged about blue and red lights, EMPD branding, a draft memorandum of understanding and 'appointment cards' for a specialised unit - including an exchange the evidence leaders read as a possible bribe. Both are presumed innocent.
View profile →Named as mastermind by herWitness K
Witness K, an anonymous JMPD VIP-unit inspector who said she had a romantic relationship with Mkhwanazi, testified on 23 June 2026 that he orchestrated the alleged Killarney precious-stones theft. Untested allegations; both are presumed innocent.
View profile →Blue-lights arrangementVusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala
Evidence tied Matlala's Cat VIP Protection to a draft EMPD memorandum and 'blue lights' arrangement alongside Mkhwanazi. Untested allegations.
View profile →Zoom out
Related case files
Medicare24 SAPS tender
A R360 million police medical tender, about R228 million paid, a web of alleged funders - and a central accused who pleaded guilty, then withdrew the deal and now heads to trial.
Read the case file →Case file - Political interferenceKhan-Malema-Sayed network
A crime intelligence general, a cigarette businessman, and a political leader - the Nyatlo affidavit traces an alleged network of mutual protection spanning police contracts, parliamentary questions, and a private complainant's home address.
Read the case file →In the room & on the record
Counsel, the panel and sources
On the panel
- Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga (chairperson)
Sources
- EWN - Suspended EMPD head received R70k from Matlala, Madlanga Commission learns (04 Dec 2025) ↗
- IOL - 'I prayed for Matlala's R360 million SAPS tender': Julius Mkhwanazi tells Madlanga Commission (04 Dec 2025) ↗
- Daily Maverick - Madlanga grills Mchunu on failure to consult SAPS leaders before disbanding NPKTT (04 Dec 2025) ↗