The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has confirmed that a metro police officer named at the Madlanga Commission for allegedly misusing state resources to assist murder-accused Katiso “KT” Molefe has been suspended.
Image: Simphiwe Mbokazi / Independent Newspapers
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has confirmed that a metro police officer who was named at the Madlanga Commission for allegedly misusing state resources to assist murder-accused Katiso “KT” Molefe is currently suspended.
The officer deployed in its K9 Unit was named in the Madlanga Commission.
In September, KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused JMPD Officer Johannes Makgatle of abusing state resources to assist Molefe.
Mkhwanazi alleged that Makgatle renewed vehicle licences on Molefe’s behalf in exchange for personal favours.
The claims were made during the second day of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
The commission, chaired by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is investigating allegations of corruption, political interference, and the protection of criminal networks within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Mkhwanazi named Makgatle as having close ties to Molefe, who was arrested on December 6, 2024, in connection with the murder of engineer Armand Swart.
Swart, an engineer at the company Q Tech, was shot and killed in Vereeniging on April 17, 2024, in what was believed to be a case of mistaken identity.
He was shot after the company he worked for, Q Tech, reported corruption related to Transnet contracts.
“An example I’m putting here is one police officer from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department. This police officer is a very close associate of the arrested Mr. Katiso Molefe,” Mkhwanazi told the commission.
KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi previously told the Madlanga Commission that JMPD officer Johannes Makgatla was allegedly misusing state resources to assist murder-accused Katiso “KT” Molefe.
Image: Facebook/SAPS
On February 5, 2025, Makgatle submitted an affidavit to the General Crime Intelligence Operations (GCI Ops), the unit investigating Molefe.
Mkhwanazi read from the affidavit during the proceedings, outlining Makgatle’s actions on the day of Molefe’s arrest.
According to the affidavit, Makgatle said Molefe contacted him about a suspicious vehicle parked near his home.
Makgatle allegedly fetched Molefe while on duty, checked the vehicle’s registration through the police system and confirmed it was a police vehicle before returning Molefe to his home.
Later, Molefe’s son, Neo, informed Makgatle that his father had been arrested in connection with the same case involving Warrant Officer Michael Pule Tau, a former detective who is also charged in the murder of Swart.
Makgatle allegedly admitted in the affidavit that he knew both Molefe and Tau, and that he had worked with Tau since 2008.
Mkhwanazi told the commission the concern was not only the association between the men but the favours Makgatle allegedly did for Molefe, including using police systems to identify a surveillance vehicle and tipping him off.
“He used his position to benefit Mr Molefe,” Mkhwanazi said. “That’s unethical and unlawful.”
Mkhwanazi further alleged that Makgatle used his position to renew vehicle licences for Molefe in exchange for personal rewards.
He said a typed version of Makgatle’s handwritten affidavit would be submitted as evidence.
“This demonstrates a pattern of unprofessional and unlawful conduct by an officer abusing state resources to support criminal associates,” Mkhwanazi said, adding that more officials could be implicated.
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla previously confirmed to IOL News that Makgatle is a metro police officer deployed in the K9 Unit and has been with the department since December 16, 2005.
He said the JMPD Internal Affairs Unit launched an investigation into the allegations and cooperated with the commission and other authorities.
In response to an inquiry from IOL News five months after the investigation began, Fihla confirmed that the Internal Affairs investigation had been finalised.
“The final feedback report was reviewed and signed off by the Chief of Police, Commissioner Patrick Jaca, on March 3, 2026,” he said.
JMPD officer Johannes Makgatle was accused of allegedly misusing state resources to assist murder-accused Katiso “KT” Molefe has been suspended after an internal investigation.
Image: X
Fihla said investigators found no evidence to support allegations that Makgatle used state systems or resources to assist Molefe on the day of his arrest in December 2024.
“The investigation found no evidence to substantiate claims that state systems or resources were used to assist Katiso Molefe on the day of his arrest,” he said.
He added that due to a lack of specific information, such as vehicle registration numbers or types, investigators were unable to confirm claims that Makgatle accessed or disclosed information about a suspicious vehicle to Molefe.
“No evidence was found, nor was any information received, regarding vehicles being registered or licences renewed by officer Makgatle on behalf of Molefe in exchange for gratification,” Fihla said.
However, the investigation did confirm a breach of JMPD vehicle policy.
Fihla said Makgatle had reported for duty on the day in question but was sent home due to illness.
Witness B revealed to the Madlanga Commission last year in October that Mokgatle falsely reported being sick from work, only to be found at Molefe's residence during his arrest.
According to Witness B, who is a member of the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit investigating criminal cartels in Gauteng, said that Makgatle’s secret presence at the scene has raised serious questions of interference and internal misconduct within the JMPD.
According to the witness, Makgatle’s claim of being unwell was a blatant lie.
Fihla said investigators found that Makgatle later used a council vehicle without authorisation while off duty.
“He utilised the departmental vehicle to drive to Molefe’s home address and the surrounding block before returning to his own residence,” Fihla said.
“He failed to obtain an Occurrence Book (OB) entry from the radio room or request permission from his direct supervisor for the use of the vehicle.”
Fihla said while Makgatle’s presence at the address was confirmed, investigators could not determine whether Molefe had been inside the vehicle.
He confirmed that Makgatle has been suspended.
“Officer Johannes Makgatle is currently on suspension. The matter has been referred for internal prosecution, and formal charges will be served in due course,” Fihla said.
Meanwhile, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe revealed that three firearms recovered during a major organised crime investigation - an AK-47 rifle and two pistols - have now been linked to 18 murder and attempted murder cases.
The weapons are allegedly connected to Molefe and controversial murder businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Mathe said ballistic analysis linked the AK-47 to the attempted murder of taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni in August 2022, as well as the murders of DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards in November 2022.
The rifle was also connected to the March 2023 murder of Don Tindleni on the N1 highway and the mistaken-identity killing of Swart in April 2024.
One of the pistols was linked to the attempted murder of DJ Vintos, also known as Hector Buthelezi.
“The number of cases linked to these firearms has now risen to 18,” Mathe previously said.
A Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer Johannes Makgatle who was accused of using state resources to assist murder-accused Katiso “KT” Molefe is currently suspended following an internal investigation.
Image: File Photo
“We are still searching for the AK-47 used in the attempted murder of Tebogo Thobejane.”
Matlala, 49, is accused of ordering the 2023 hit on Thobejane and faces charges of attempted murder, money laundering and possession of fraudulent documents.
Molefe, along with co-accused Musa Kekana, Tau and Floyd Mabusela, faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of unlicensed firearms.
The accused have been linked to a string of violent crimes, including the killings of DJ Sumbody, DJ Vintos, Tindleni and Swart.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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