KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona has admitted to leaking sensitive personal details of police investigators to alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, triggering sharp rebukes from commissioners at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
The admission — involving names, ID numbers and contact details of members of the Political Killing Task Team (PKTT) — placed investigator safety at the centre of a growing credibility crisis inside the South African Police Service (SAPS).
What the Commission confronted Senona on
- Sharing PKTT investigators’ personal details with a private citizen
- Claiming ignorance of Matlala’s alleged criminal links
- Denying any “red flags” in their close relationship
- Contradicting himself on when he allegedly cut ties with Matlala
- Initially refusing to name a “dangerous” individual cited in WhatsApp messages
Under sustained questioning, Senona confirmed that he shared the PKTT document with Matlala but insisted it was not marked confidential and was sent merely to discuss “current affairs”.
Commissioners were unconvinced.
Commissioner Sandile Khumalo warned that exposing investigators handling politically motivated killings placed lives at risk, describing the disclosure as deeply troubling given Senona’s senior rank.
Despite this, Senona repeatedly resisted acknowledging that his actions were improper.
‘Difficult to accept’
A central issue in the hearing was Senona’s claim that he was unaware of Matlala’s alleged links to the Tembisa Hospital corruption matter, which was brought to light by whistleblower Babita Deokaran shortly before her assassination in 2021.
Commissioners noted that Matlala’s name has featured extensively in national media and has also arisen in evidence previously presented to the Madlanga Commission. In that earlier testimony, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made allegations that certain politically connected business figures had improper contact with senior SAPS officials, and that some investigations may have been delayed or influenced. Matlala was referenced in that context.
The commission stressed that these allegations are under inquiry and have not been tested or proven.
Against this backdrop, Commissioner Sesi Baloyi said it was “difficult to accept” that a provincial Hawks head would be unaware of the individuals linked to matters exposed by Deokaran.
When asked whether his close association with a person facing serious criminal allegations should have prompted caution, Senona replied that people do not “profile” their friends — a response that commissioners received with visible scepticism.
Justice Madlanga corners Senona
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga confronted Senona with WhatsApp messages that contradicted his claim that he had cut ties with Matlala in March 2025.
Messages sent in May showed continued contact in a supportive and empathetic tone.
Senona struggled to explain the discrepancy.
Names withheld — then forced into the open
The hearing also exposed a network of previously concealed names.
Senona initially refused to identify individuals mentioned in a WhatsApp message from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, citing fear for his life.
Ordered by the commission to disclose the information, Senona revealed one of the names as Steve Motsumi, believed to be the owner of a private security company based in Bedfordview on the East Rand.
The message related to an alleged meeting involving Mkhwanazi and Matlala and has already featured in earlier explosive testimony before the commission.
A Test of the Commission’s mandate
Senona’s admissions cut to the core of the Madlanga Commission, established after President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised a sweeping inquiry into allegations that criminal syndicates have infiltrated SAPS leadership.
As the inquiry continues, commissioners are weighing testimony that suggests not only poor judgment, but a dangerous erosion of the boundaries between law enforcement and alleged organised crime figures.
The commission continues.
