WhatsApp messages link KZN Hawks head to alleged criminal

KWAZULU-NATAL head of the Hawks, Major-General Lesetja Senona has been accused of having a close and beneficial relationship with a known criminal implicated in serious crimes, including attempted murder and corruption.

This came to light when the first in-camera witness testified before the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday. 

Witness X continued from where the divisional commissioner of Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, left off before he fell ill at the Madlanga Commission. 

In his testimony on September 29 and 30, Khumalo delivered evidence in the commission and set out that he would deliver chats between individuals — Brown Mogotsi, Senona, Brigadier Julius  Mkhawanazi (Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department [EMPD] chief), investigator Calvin Rafadi, and businessman Suleiman Carrim.

Witness X’s testimony on behalf of Khumalo was based on WhatsApp conversations on December 22, 2024 and May 2025.    

Evidence leader Adv Adila Hassim SC led Witness X’s virtual testimony, while Adv Thabang Pooe led the intermediary evidence.

“Major General Senona has a close and beneficial relationship with an alleged criminal, and you will also see the close relationship that Mr. Matlala has with the general’s son,” according to Witness X’s testimony.

Vusumzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, believed to be connected to fraudulent transactions in the Tembisa Hospital R2 billion 'looting', was arrested in April, for allegedly orchestrating the 2023 attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane and is currently in custody after being denied bail.

Witness X’s testimony was itemised into three, showing the beneficial relationship Senona allegedly has with Matlala, Senona’s interest in protecting Matlala, and the sharing of institutional and confidential information.

Senona allegedly facilitated invoice payments for Matlala’s Medicare24 at the SAPS and encouraged him to challenge the police regarding the cancellation of the multimillion rand contract.

At the centre of the first part of the WhatsApp messages is Senona, her son Thato, and Matlala. 

WhatsApp text messages showed numerous attempts to set up meetings in the chats between Matlala and Senona.

“The close relationship that Matlala has with Major General Senona’s son (Thato) seems to be the purchase of the property,” said Witness X.

In one of the messages, Senona texts Matlala: “Good afternoon brother. Did you meet with Thato?” To which Matlala responds:  “Tomorrow, I’m waiting for offer to purchase first.”

In the messages, Matlala asked Thato to send his FICA documents for the purchase of a property, and he then sent the personal information as requested by Matlala.

Khumalo had previously revealed that SAPS and EMPD officers, including EMPD chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, at the highest level leaked secrets and protected businesspeople facing serious charges. Carrim and Rafadi were also accused of pocketing cash for sensitive police information.

Carrim, according to evidence, also assisted Matlala with facilitating payments for the services rendered to the police.

In one of the messages, Matlala asks Mkhwanazi to help him with the matter of his driver, who has been arrested for speeding. 

The Madlanga Commission, announced in July 2025 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of collusion and corruption between politicians, senior police, prosecutors, intelligence operatives, and elements of the judiciary.

Cape Times