Led the 2021 Aeroton cocaine bust team
Team leader of the Hawks narcotics unit (SANEB) behind one of Gauteng's largest seizures.
He testified that in 2021 he was the team leader of the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), which sits under the Hawks and investigates drug-trafficking networks, and a sub-section commander in the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS). The July 2021 operation in Aeroton, south of Johannesburg, seized about 715kg of cocaine worth an estimated R300 million.
Alleges a senior officer hijacked the scene
He says Maj-Gen Feroz Khan took over the operation, indicating an abuse of power and rank.
Witness I testified that Crime Intelligence boss Maj-Gen Feroz Khan "just hijacked and took over the scene", and that, as an experienced investigator, his observations indicated "potential abuse of power and rank, the reasons for which remain unclear". Khan, who was arrested in May 2026 in a separate matter, is presumed innocent; these are untested allegations before the commission.
Alleged promotion offer to change his statement
He says he was offered a promotion in exchange for altering his evidence about Khan.
He alleged that he was offered a promotion in exchange for changing the statement he had given implicating Maj-Gen Feroz Khan in the Aeroton matter. The allegation is reported as his testimony and is not a finding.
Heard with identity protected
Testified by audio link under a ruling shielding his identity for his safety.
As with other witnesses in the cartel-infiltration inquiry, the commission heard his evidence under the pseudonym Witness I and by audio only, in keeping with a ruling to protect his identity for security reasons.
Testified that 'Cat' Matlala was a police informant
Says Matlala fed TOMS tip-offs, via Captain Felani Zungu, that led to arrests.
On day two Witness I testified that he knew Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala as an informer who assisted the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) with tip-offs - channelled through Captain Felani Zungu - that led to several successful operations and arrests. He said he later heard allegations that Matlala was using the police to 'eliminate his rivals'. Untested allegations; Matlala is presumed innocent.
Disclosed a two-year stay at a Matlala property
Lived ~2 years at a Matlala family home in Mamelodi after a 2023 attempt on his life.
Witness I disclosed that, after a September 2023 attack on him and his wife, Captain Zungu arranged a safe house in Mamelodi that he only later discovered belonged to the Matlala family, where he stayed for about two years. He says he never met or communicated with Matlala during that time and got ahead of the disclosure because he believed it was about to be used against him: 'my stay at Matlala's house is being used to discredit me.'
Cross-examined over a possible cover-up
Evidence leaders probed whether his presence at the scene helped legitimise a drug theft.
Evidence leader Adv Sesi Baloyi pressed how he knew a meeting was facilitated by Matlala if he had no contact with him, and the panel questioned whether he attended the Aeroton scene to legitimise an attempt by officials to steal the R286m consignment - which he denied. He also reported receiving warning calls after his first day that seniors were unhappy and planned to use the Matlala-house stay against him. Untested; presumed innocent.
