Madlanga orders Hawks Brigadier Mokoena back to testify over WhatsApp lies in Molefe takedown
South Africa - Pretoria - 29 October 2025. Brigadier Lesiba Mokoena, attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has been recalled to testify at the Madlanga Commission of Enquiry.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers
The Madlanga Commission has ordered Hawks Brigadier Lesiba Mokoena to return to the witness stand after revelations that he lied under oath about his involvement in a controversial WhatsApp group linked to the takedown of Katiso “KT” Molefe last year.
Commission Chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, issued a firm directive on Monday, insisting that Mokoena appear before the inquiry despite his reported refusal, citing “ongoing consultation” with his legal team.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI)’s legal advisor, Mokoena had communicated that he would not attend the session at this stage, evidence leader, Adv. Lee Segeels-Ncube confirmed.
But Justice Madlanga was unequivocal: “It’s not a maybe, we do want him to come back.”
The commission’s evidence leader confirmed he would engage with the DPCI’s legal representative and report back to the chairperson.
The order follows mounting contradictions in Mokoena’s previous testimony, where he denied participating in a WhatsApp group allegedly created by Captain Barry Kruger to coordinate the operation at Molefe’s home.
Molefe was arrested on December 6, 2024 by members of the Gauteng Counterintelligence Operations Unit (GCIOPS), with the help of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in connection with the murder of engineer Armand Swart.
Subsequent evidence, however, indicated that Mokoena was indeed an active participant in the group discussions - directly contradicting his sworn testimony.
Kruger, who also testified before the commission, clarified that Mokoena was indeed part of the group and he also participated.
This revelation has ignited serious concerns about credibility, accountability, and integrity within the Hawks, an elite crime-fighting unit already under scrutiny for alleged internal corruption and interference in sensitive investigations.
Mokoena’s evasive stance and refusal to return have fuelled speculation about potential cover-ups.
The commission is probing whether the WhatsApp group was used to plan an unlawful raid on Molefe’s residence, raising questions about abuse of authority and procedural misconduct.
The commission hearings are ongoing with witnesses who were part of the takedown operation at Molefe’s house, giving details about the arrest.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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