South Africa: “Witness F” to Testify in Corruption Probe

A crucial witness at South Africa’s Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, identified in court papers as “Witness F”, has withdrawn a high-court bid that sought to block his appearance before the probe and prevent the commission from showing WhatsApp exchanges from his phone. He is now expected to return to testify on Monday, February 16, deepening scrutiny of alleged cartel-linked activity and troubling conduct captured on security footage.

Witness F had approached the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria with an urgent application to stop the commission from compelling him to appear and from displaying messages extracted from his mobile device, arguing that the evidence could incriminate him. That application, which was due to be heard this week, was formally abandoned after the commission began displaying parts of his WhatsApp communications during proceedings.

The commission has previously shown CCTV footage depicting Witness F at the Pretoria home of alleged cartel affiliate Katiso “KT” Molefe leaving with a bag, a development that has drawn intense interest from legal observers and civil society groups. His testimony is set to continue on Monday partly because of its potential to illuminate the role that syndicates and corrupt networks might have played in influencing official investigations and police conduct.

Madlanga Commission inquiries form part of a wide-ranging public investigation into alleged corruption, organised crime links and misuse of public resources within the criminal justice system. Witness F’s evidence has been treated with special restrictions, including partial in-camera sessions, due to security concerns and the sensitive nature of the allegations.

Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has authorised the inclusion of digital evidence such as WhatsApp chats and CCTV material, which commissioners say could shed light on the nexus between state actors and alleged cartel figures. The decision to display such material in hearings is controversial, with legal teams previously arguing it could prejudice witnesses.

Witness F’s anticipated appearance follows earlier disruptions to his testimony, including a brief absence due to illness and earlier attempts to delay or limit participation, as reported during the commission’s prior sessions.

The Madlanga Commission continues to gather testimony from a range of figures implicated in alleged corruption and cover-ups, with other witnesses and high-profile personalities already having appeared or scheduled to appear as part of the ongoing inquiry. Commissioners have indicated that Witness F’s Monday testimony could be pivotal in establishing how information and alleged illicit cash transfers may have been coordinated among the implicated parties.

Witness F’s return to the stand comes amid broader concerns about witness protection and the safety of those participating in the commission, highlighted by earlier incidents in which other witnesses faced threats or harm.