The Madlanga Commission has warned Witness F, who is testifying in camera, to avoid giving false evidence, cautioning that the commission has the means to independently verify facts, including through phone records.
Witness F took the stand on Tuesday after a failed attempt to postpone his appearance. The commission dismissed his application and ordered him to begin testifying immediately.
Although his identity has been withheld at his request, it is widely known in public circles. During proceedings, Witness F faced questions about WhatsApp communications showing he was in regular contact with alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and the late former deputy president David Mabuza.
Evidence leader Mathew Chaskalson and the three commissioners expressed dissatisfaction with several of Witness F’s responses. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiselo Madlanga warned him against lying and offered him an opportunity to reconsider some of his answers.
“You can always retract your response. You do not have to say anything that is not truthful because we have a way of verifying these things,” Madlanga said.
Witness F responded: “I maintain my answer, commissioners.”
In exchanges relating to Matlala, Witness F appeared to have shared internal police records, including details of an active case. He claimed the information related to a gender-based violence complaint involving one of Matlala’s employees, who allegedly received no assistance from police in Mamelodi.
Chaskalson challenged this version, suggesting the explanation was false.
“I think you know that answer is false. Do you want to reconsider it and tell the commission what case 15703 of 2024 was really about?” Chaskalson asked.
Witness F stood by his account, insisting that Matlala had approached him on behalf of the woman.
However, the evidence leader later presented a version — which Witness F did not strongly dispute — indicating the case in question was in fact a murder investigation, in which more than 50 cartridges were found at the scene. The commission believes Matlala was making inquiries on behalf of the murder suspect.
Regarding WhatsApp messages linked to Mabuza that appeared to involve a possible illegal sale of firearms, Witness F claimed he had been communicating with the former deputy president’s nephew. He said he had saved the contact under Mabuza’s name despite knowing it was not the politician himself.