Hawks officials contradicted each other at Madlanga Inquiry: Analyst

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga (R) chairs the Madlanga Commission on Inquiry in Pretoria.

Security Analyst Andy Mashaile says the contradictory statements made by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) Captain Barry Kruger and Section Head Brigadier Lesiba Mokoena support the allegations that some law enforcement agencies have been compromised.

Kruger and Mokoena appeared before the Madlanga Commission earlier on Tuesday.

This is connection to the deployment of Hawks members to the home of murder suspect Katiso “KT” Molefe in December last year.

Mashaile says their responses indicate that the sequence of events was not captured properly.

He says, “I am afraid to say this mix-up corroborate what General (Nhlanhla) Mkhwanazi alleged that there has been a capture of some of the law enforcement agencies. Even though these two individuals were trying to do their level best to verify, but it didn’t leave us with confidence. When they were contradicting themselves, they would say this, when pressed upon by the three tigers forming the commission, they would change their statements and agree or give answers that would be not so convincing.”

OPERATION

Kruger told the Madlanga Commission that while on his way to verify the legitimacy of an operation at Molefe’s home he received confirmation that the operation was indeed legal.

Earlier, Kruger explained that he had been instructed by Mokoena to verify the operation immediately despite indicating that he was in a different city.

The commission has previously heard how the Hawks attempted to interfere with police operations during Molefe’s arrest.

When asked why he continued with the mission despite receiving confirmation, Kruger says he was already nearby and could not turn back.

He also defended his deployment there.

Commissioner Adv. Sandile Khumalo questioned Kruger why he prolonged his time at Molefe’s residence, despite being withdrawn from the operation.

SK: So, what were you doing for the other 40 minutes?

BK: It’s probably the time I was taking down the registration and giving feedback to Brigadier Mokoena.

SK: I am asking you this questions because Captain (Maxwell) Wonda says that the Hawks officials that were there were asking for a J50 (warrant of arrest) asking to know what the operation was about and who they are arresting and for what purpose.

BK: That wouldn’t be from our side that I can remember, commissioner, because I did not ask Captain Wonda to see the J50 and he did not even show it to me.

MOLEFE’S HOME

Mokoena also defended the presence of the Hawks at Molefe’s home adding that they had to ensure that they were not being impersonated.

SK: If you wanted to know if there is a police operation in Sandhurst why did you not call the police station in Sandton to verify that? Why did you have to call the Hawks who are all over Gauteng to go to the address?”

LM: Thank you, Commissioner. When he called me, I think, according to me, he did know that I’ve got a team that is movable at any time and then, allegation of the Hawks’ members with the national head came to me, then I have to dispatch my members to go and verify.