‘We’re going to die’ — the personal toll for cops investigating ‘Big Five’ cases

On Thursday, 24 October, when a sobbing Witness B concluded her two-day testimony before the Madlanga Commission, she said, “I will die peacefully knowing that what I was doing was the right thing and that the whole country knows what cause I died for.”

This powerful declaration came as the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit officer recounted the fears and threats that now shadow her life. She told the commission she once received a chilling phone call from an unknown voice: “We followed you for eight days. We know where you live, who your family members are and where they work.”

The threat, she said, was a stark reminder of the danger faced by those who dared to expose the truth. Witnesses A and B from Gauteng Organised Crime, with Witness C from the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), were instrumental in unravelling the murder of engineer Armand Swart, and in connecting the dots to the powerful “Big Five” cartel.

Following the murder of Swart in April 2024, the police arrested former cop Michael Tau, along with the other alleged hitmen, Musa Kekana and Floyd Mabusela, for murder. Katiso “KT” Molefe was arrested in December 2024.

Molefe was named by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as part of a drug cartel known as the Big Five, although he faces no drug-related charges. In addition to Swart’s murder, he also faces charges for the 2022 murders of Oupa John Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody, and Hector Buthelezi, known as DJ Vintos.

Read more: Beyond the Big Five cartel — a murky mix of taxi boss ‘Mswazi’, politicians and dodgy private security

Witness C, in testimony before the commission on 30 October, claimed that Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala paid R500,000 to fund now-sidelined Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s bid for the ANC presidency.

The testimonies of the three witnesses were in camera for safety and security reasons and because of constant threats, including a hit being ordered on their lives. This is the price that police officers pay for investigating high-profile cases, the underworld and cartels that have allegedly infiltrated the police.

Early this month, Constable Mzwakhe Khoza, 36, attached to the Brakpan visible police crime prevention unit, was killed after he allegedly confronted an alleged drug dealer.

On 19 September 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Charl Kinnear was gunned down outside his home in Bishop Lavis, assassinated in cold blood. At the time of his murder, Kinnear was investigating alleged underworld figure Nafiz Modack, who now stands as the main accused in orchestrating his killing.

‘We are going to die’

Witness B explained the reality faced by those who dared to expose the rot within the system.

Concerning the caller who said they had been following her for eight days, she said the caller added that her family members were not involved, a clear threat to their lives. She said the caller told her she was behaving like a man, so they would deal with her like a man.

“I remember at one point when I decided to stop driving with Witness A and C. We were talking amongst each other about what dangers there are. They said, ‘Hey, we are going to be shot and we are going to die.”

Witness B stressed that in this instance, she was not only looking at the criminals, but must look over her shoulder for threats from other members of the police.

“This makes it very hard, and you know for sure it is not very easy. Some people, you think that they serve your best interest or you’re close, only to find that they are the ones that are going to sell [you] out.

“This case has been extremely difficult; there is a lot that has to happen. We have children that don’t understand the situation.”

She said she worked with children in her community and took them to church. “They won’t understand that church is not happening any more,” she said.

‘I’m living a shadow of my former life’

Witness C, a member of the PKTT, told the commission on 30 October that the case which had defined his life had also tested his deepest convictions. For him, policing was not a job, but a calling – a duty carried out with pride, dignity, and an unwavering belief that his badge stood for service to the community.

He also told the commission that the murder case of Swart had taken more from him than he ever imagined. 

“I’m living a shadow of my former life. I can no longer perform my duties as I once did. I can’t move in public without 24-hour protection.

“It’s become difficult to meet family members, to build new connections or to gather crucial information. My current situation simply doesn’t allow for it,” he said.

The most routine court visits had become impossible. “I can no longer go to court freely to seek orders; my movements are no longer free or spontaneous,” he told the commission.

On a personal level, he told the commission, his life had been stripped of all normality.

“I cannot live a normal life. I can’t go to the gym or eat out without risking my life. I have a family I’m deeply committed to, but I can’t take them to a shopping mall or plan a simple holiday,” he said.

His voice broke as he continued: “I rarely see my family because doing so would put their lives in danger. It’s torn me away from my wife and children. I haven’t seen them in a long time.”

He said he wanted the commission to understand the human cost behind the badge.

“It’s important they know the sacrifices made by ordinary police officers. We stand at the cold frontlines of justice, facing the raw, unfiltered reality of fighting crime in this country.”

He also stressed that it had become difficult for honest officers to execute their duties when the corrupt individuals they encountered were senior-ranking members in SAPS.

“How can we fight well-resourced, organised and ruthless criminals, when our own superiors are co-opted and complicit in criminality?”

Read more: Shadrack Sibiya, Hawks linked to alleged interference in KT Molefe’s arrest

He said this toxic environment had isolated those who still believed in integrity. 

“Our colleagues know we’re investigating these cases, and they avoid us out of fear of facing repercussions. I’m not saying this to seek sympathy, but to make the commission aware of the reality faced by committed, ethical and ordinary SAPS members,” he said.

Docket and lives were in danger

Witness A highlighted an incident after they left the Vereeniging Magistrates’ Court, after the appearance of murder accused Tau, when they were followed by people in cars and nearly forced off the road.

“We are no longer safe in our homes and work. We also had to keep the Swart murder docket with us. If they, hitmen, don’t find us, then they will want to find the docket. We drove with the docket wherever we went,” he testified.

Witness A delivered detailed evidence on the alleged masterminds behind the slaying of engineer Swart in Vereeniging and described what appeared to be top officers’ attempts to suppress the case.

Read more: Envelopes and missing evidence — Madlanga Commission hears allegations of murder cover-up

According to Witness A, on 8 August 2025, Witness B informed him that Crime Intelligence had conducted a Threat and Risk Assessment. The assessment was classified as high risk, meaning, as he put it, “Our lives were extremely in danger.”

Despite the threats, Witness A said the gratitude of the victims’ families kept the team going.

“I have met with the families of the victims, and when I spoke to them, they were grateful for the work that we are doing as a team. Even those families where arrests have not yet been made, they appreciate that someone is working on the case to bring justice to their loved ones.

“The satisfaction that I am making a difference… That’s what keeps me going,” the commission heard. DM