An anonymous police investigator, known only as Witness A, has told a national inquiry that the Johannesburg central police station is involved with organized crime. The testimony was given at the Madlanga commission, which is investigating political interference in the police.
The witness said the allegations emerged during a murder investigation. The case involves Armand Swart, an engineer who was shot 23 times. Swart was initially thought to be a whistleblower on tender corruption at Transnet, but the investigation has since identified a different individual in that role.
Witness A claimed that a police detective, Michael Pule Tau, was in constant contact with a murder suspect before the killing. They allegedly used untraceable “burner” phones and Tau was at the suspect’s house the night before the murder. After the shooting, Tau reportedly sent a text message assuring the suspect that it was successful.
The witness testified from a secret location for safety reasons, stating that investigators on the case have faced threats and intimidation.
This commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa after a police commissioner alleged high-level political interference and collusion with criminal groups within the justice system. The testimony adds to a series of claims about corruption and infighting at the highest levels of the South African police.
