Hawks ‘interfered’ in the arrest of KT Molefe, admits top cop

HAWKS Divisional Commissioner for National Priority Offences Operations General Dumisani Mbotho has disclosed a direct link between the elite unit’s former boss, Godfrey Lebeya and suspected criminal underworld boss Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe.

He also conceded that Hawks members interfered with Molefe’s arrest. Molefe was arrested for allegedly orchestrating the killing of engineer Armand Swart.

Four witnesses had detailed to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry the possible interference by the Hawks in the arrest, executed by the SAPS, at Molefe's home in Sandton.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is investigating allegations of collusion and corruption between politicians, senior police, prosecutors, intelligence operatives, and elements of the judiciary.

Testifying before the Commission on Monday, Mbotho was quizzed about the possible interference by his team members when he said that he had  called Brigadier Lesiba ‘Kleintjie’ Mokoena, the section head in the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) attached to the Hawks, to follow up on the information that there was a 'bogus operation' at a house in Sandton. 

Mokoena then deployed Captain Barry Kruger alongside officers, including Warrant Officer Sabelo Nkosi, who are all attached to TOMS.

The team, according to Mbotho, was sent to verify if the people at the Sandton house were SAPS members, and whether they had been sent to that scene by Lebeya.

Mbotho told the Commission that he was asked by Lebeya to enquire about this incident, and he showed WhatsApp messages from Lebeya, including the address of the house where the arrest was happening.

In previous testimony, police involved in the operation expressed concern that a helicopter was involved, and members of the Hawks were aggressive, imposing questions on the team conducting the arrest.

The Commissioners on Monday wanted to know why the Hawks members had diverted from the instructions given to them.

Commissioner Sesi Baloyi SC asked Mbotho if the Hawks team requested to see the J50 (warrant of arrest) and if Witness A told them that the operation was legitimate.

Baloyi then quoted from a statement issued by a Hawks member that "When the Hawks asked details about the operation, including who we were arresting, the CAS numbers, Witness A refused to disclose the information."

“Now, from the evidence that we’ve heard, by this point, your Hawks members know and are satisfied that this is a legitimate police operation. The question as understood being asked of you, is having established that it’s a legitimate operation, to go on and then want to ask about the J50, about the operation, who are you arresting, and the case number.

"To ask that after your Hawks members have established that this is a legitimate operation, that would constitute interference?” Baloyi asked.

Mbotho acknowledged that this was tantamount to interference.

“I am not opposed to that view, because who they wanted to arrest there, with or without a warrant, was not our business.”

Cape Times