When investigators at the Madlanga Commission, a South African judicial anti-corruption inquiry, projected WhatsApp conversations extracted from seized mobile phones onto courtroom screens, they were doing far more than reading private messages. They were attempting to reconstruct alleged criminal networks.
Every message, timestamp, contact list and call log became another thread in what investigators argue is a sprawling web linking senior police officers, politicians, businesspeople and alleged underworld figures Vusi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso “KT” Molefe.
Among those whose names have surfaced during the commission’s proceedings are Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya and Crime Intelligence head Major-General Feroz Khan, all of whom have been suspended. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, businessman Brown Mogotsi and alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who remains in custody, have also been mentioned.
Several of those named have publicly denied wrongdoing, challenged either the interpretation or the authenticity of evidence presented to the commission, or argued that the material disclosed does not establish unlawful conduct. Malema went further in an affidavit filed with the commission on July 7.
Responding to allegations arising from WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged between Khan and tobacco businessman Mohammed Sayed, the EFF leader said he could not verify the authenticity of the message extracts presented to the commission.
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