Michael Pule Tau was escorted to and from Vereeniging more than twice between his June 2024 meeting with Katiso Molefe and later negotiations involving Sergeant Tsukudu, according to Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, who testified before the Madlanga Commission.
The revelation was made while the commission was continuing its investigation into alleged illegal connections between senior members of the South African Police Service. The questioning centred on the frequency and purpose of movements linked to Tau.
While Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu did testify that Tau was escorted “more than twice,” he was unable to provide a specific number of trips when further pressed while the proceedings were underway.
This line of questioning is a part of a larger effort to clarify up confusion about when things happened, especially in regards to conversations and meetings with Tau, Molefe, and other people who are now at the center of the investigation.
Investigations in South Africa are still ongoing, and the commission is trying to figure out if government resources and staff were used properly throughout the movements associated with those people.
As Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu maintains his denial of any wrongdoing in enabling or knowing about any unlawful arrangements, his evidence sought to provide further context for his involvement.
The attention surrounding Tau’s travels between Johannesburg and Vereeniging has prompted more enquiries on his activities after his June 2024 encounter with Katiso Molefe, and how they might be related to the talks that followed involving Sergeant Tsukudu.
As part of its inquiry into suspected procedural anomalies and probable misuse of police processes, the Madlanga Commission is likely to continue unravelling these timings. As the hearings continue, we should expect to learn more about the precise number of escorts, the permission for them, and whether or not regular protocols were followed by the SAPS during the time being reviewed.