The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard evidence alleging that EFF leader Julius Malema was involved in a plan with Major-General Feroz Khan and businessman Mohammed “Mo” Sayed to remove former Crime Intelligence Inspector-General Isaac Dintwe from office.
The allegations emerged during Tuesday’s proceedings as the commission examined WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged between Khan and Sayed, with Malema said to have received information indirectly through Sayed.
WhatsApp messages presented to the commission
Major-General Khan, who is recovering in hospital following a suspected assassination attempt last month, did not appear before the commission.
According to evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC, the WhatsApp conversations suggest that parliamentary questions were prepared for Malema to submit regarding Dintwe and then Police Minister Bheki Cele.
The proposed questions reportedly focused on allegations that Dintwe had contact with convicted drug trafficker Timmy Marimuthu and discussed matters relating to Crime Intelligence.
Additional questions reportedly concerned the Inspector-General of Intelligence, the removal of General Peter Jacobs, and allegations involving former president Jacob Zuma, Khan and support for Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s ANC presidential campaign.
Alleged strategy to remove Dintwe
The commission heard that Khan and Malema allegedly did not communicate directly, with Sayed acting as an intermediary.
According to the evidence, after Sayed asked Khan whether he was satisfied with the final draft of the parliamentary questions, Khan allegedly responded:
“Yes bro. This should get him (Dintwe) to lie and in return we can ask for his removal because he lied.”
Chaskalson told the commission that the messages suggested the objective was not to establish the truth but to create grounds for Dintwe’s removal.
“What General Khan is disclosing here is that the purpose of these questions is not to establish whether the inspector-general has any relationship with Timmy Marimuthu, but rather to trap the inspector-general into lying in an answer to Parliament and to use the fact that he would have lied to orchestrate his removal,” Chaskalson said.
He further argued that if Khan genuinely had concerns about Dintwe’s alleged relationship with Marimuthu, appropriate internal channels should have been used instead of parliamentary processes.
Questions over Mohammed “Mo” Sayed’s role
Co-commissioner Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC questioned the significance of Sayed acting as a go-between.
Chaskalson described Sayed’s alleged involvement as concerning.
He told the commission that Sayed was associated with a company that had admitted to previous fraudulent conduct and tax evasion, arguing that he was not an appropriate intermediary for discussions involving sensitive intelligence matters.
Operation Dudula and VBS allegations also examined
The commission also heard evidence suggesting an alleged exchange of favours between Khan and Malema.
According to Chaskalson, WhatsApp messages indicated Malema sought action against an individual allegedly connected to a murder suspect linked to Operation Dudula.
Separately, the commission heard that Malema allegedly requested information relating to a VBS Mutual Bank criminal complaint against him.
Khan is alleged to have supplied details of the case, including the complainant’s name and residential address.
Chaskalson noted that Malema has previously been implicated in matters relating to the VBS scandal through the plea agreement of former VBS chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi, who alleged that payments were made to secure political protection for the bank. Malema and the EFF have consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to the VBS allegations.
Evidence continues behind closed doors
The commission also examined allegations that Khan regularly shared intelligence documents with acquaintances and was approached by business associates seeking assistance with criminal investigations.
Evidence relating to parts of Khan’s testimony is currently being heard in camera.
The Madlanga Commission is expected to resume its public hearings on Wednesday morning as it continues investigating allegations surrounding Crime Intelligence operations and governance.
