Katiso Molefe has been denied bail. Image credit: Simon Mojadibodu/IOL.
General Mbotho confirmed that there is a direct link between the former agency boss, Godfrey Lebeya and Molefe.
KT Molefe was placed under incarceration after having planned and executed the murder of young Vereeniging engineer, Arnold Swart.
The Madlanga Commission of Enquiry is currently handling the investigative process of allegations of collusion and corruption amongst known politicians , senior police officers, prosecutors, intelligence operatives officers and elements within the judiciary.
Mbotho testified before the Madlanga Commission Of Inquiry on Monday, 3rd November 2025, where he was he was questioned regarding his admission based on his team having had an interference on the case at hand.
Mbotho called forth the section head in the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Brigadier Lesiba “Kleintjie” Mokoena to provide follow up on the information that there was an alleged “bogus operation” ran in a residential home in North of Johannesburg, Sandton City.
Mokoena later deployed Captain Barry Kruger, warrant officer Sabelo Nkosi, alongside other officers of the law, who are all attached to TOMS.
Mbotho, together with the team, were sent to verify and confirm whether the people in the house in Sandton were indeed SAPS Members and whether had they been assigned to assess the scene by Lebeya.
Mbotho informed the commission that Lebeya had made a request, asking him to to make an enquiry on the the incident that took place, he further revealed Whatsapp messages from Lebeya which include the residential address of the house the arrest was taking place at.
A Helicopter That Raised Eyebrows
In the previous testimony given, police shared their concern about the involvement of a helicopter and the aggressive behaviour displayed by members of the Hawks, by imposing numerous questions upon the team conducting the arrest that time.
On 3rd November 2025, the Commission was interested in knowing the reason behind the Hawks members’ disobeying instructions given to them to follow.
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi, questioned Mbotho whether had the Hawks team submitted a request to see the J50 document (warrant of arrest) and whether did Witness A confirm the legitimacy of the operation.
Baloyi quoted a statement made by a Hawks member: “When the Hawks asked for more details about the operation, including information on who we are arresting, the CAS numbers, Witness A refused to disclose any sort of information to them.”
“From the evidence we have been made aware of by this point, your Hawks members know and are satisfied with this being a legitimate police operation.”
“The Question brought to your attention, is in regards to having established that it is a legitimate operation, to go on and then want to ask in regards to the J50, the operation, the person who will be placed under arrest and the case number.”
“To ask that sort of question following your Hawks members having established that this indeed is a legitimate operation, would that be enough to constitute interference?” Baloyi asked.
Mbotho agreed that this was equivalent to interference.
He further stated: “I am not in opposition to that perspective because of who they wanted to arrest there, with or without a warrant was none of our business.”
Nkosi had informed the Commission that during deployment at Molefe’s home, a man who introduced himself as “Mr. Mthethwa” alleged to have Mbotho called to make him aware of the operation.”
Mthethwa claimed that he had familial relations to Molefe and claimed to be an “old friend” of Mbotho
Chief Provincial Inspector, George Raftopoulos of the Gauteng Traffic Police Airwaing, who was operating the helicopter that was hovering above Molefe’s home as the arrest operation took place, gave a testimony that he is perplexed by the disturbance allegations that have surfaced.
Raftopoulos emphasized that he’s reason for deploying a helicopter was for assistance purposes for the Hawks after being informed by Captain Kruger that there was a “bogus operation” taking place in Sandton.
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