The Madlanga Commission has turned its attention to a trove of WhatsApp messages extracted from the phone of late taxi boss Jothan “King Mswazi” Msibi, uncovering alleged attempts to trade sophisticated surveillance technology, influence an Ekurhuleni tender and intervene in criminal cases.

No witness was called to the stand on Tuesday, with proceedings instead focused on evidence led by Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC from Msibi’s WhatsApp communications.

Msibi died in January 2024 and has previously been linked by witnesses to the alleged “Big Five Cartel”.

The evidence presented to the commission included messages involving Msibi, police Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, businessman Ze Nxumalo, Carnilinx director Kyle Phillips, businessman Suliman Carrim and several other individuals.

One of the issues under scrutiny was an alleged project involving “grabbers”, sophisticated devices capable of intercepting or listening to communications from mobile phones.

Chaskalson took the commission through WhatsApp exchanges between Nkosi and Shaun Jacobs concerning a demonstration of grabber technology supplied by a company based in the Czech Republic.

The commission heard that Czech law restricted the sale of such technology and that the supplier could not simply sell the devices to anyone.

According to Chaskalson, Nkosi represented to the Czech company that the demonstration was intended for the South African Police Service.

However, evidence led before the commission indicated that Msibi, Nkosi and possibly Steve Motsumi and Katiso Molefe were allegedly exploring the possibility of selling the technology to the Kingdom of Eswatini.

That was allegedly different from what had been represented to the Czech authorities.

Chaskalson said a message forwarded by Nkosi to Msibi suggested that the proposed Eswatini deal ultimately did not materialise.

The messages allegedly showed that Msibi, Motsumi and Molefe then considered alternative options and engaged other international suppliers.

The commission was also shown correspondence with a European dealer specialising in high technology security and surveillance equipment. In the correspondence, Msibi was reportedly described as someone representing the South African state.

Chaskalson said it was concerning that Msibi, Motsumi and Molefe appeared to have been engaging foreign companies to obtain surveillance technology while allegedly presenting themselves as representatives of the South African state.

The evidence leader said it remained unclear whether the technology was eventually sold to anyone, but the WhatsApp exchanges demonstrated that the group had been able to communicate directly with international suppliers.

The commission also heard evidence concerning Msibi’s relationship with Carnilinx director Kyle Phillips.

According to Chaskalson, WhatsApp exchanges suggested that the tobacco company repeatedly approached Msibi after its stock was stolen, seeking his assistance in recovering the goods.

The evidence allegedly showed that after Msibi became involved, an individual linked to the robbery, or someone who had obtained the stolen tobacco, contacted Phillips about returning the stock.

Another strand of evidence focused on Msibi’s dealings with Nxumalo and an Ekurhuleni municipal tender.

The commission heard that on September 23, 2023, Motsumi sent Msibi the contact details of former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi.

Two days later, Msibi contacted Mashazi.

Chaskalson also presented WhatsApp exchanges in which Nxumalo allegedly forwarded Msibi an advertisement for a tender involving a project management unit and technical services for the development of the City of Ekurhuleni Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network.

The evidence leader said Msibi wanted the tender for Camp Rock Pty Ltd.

The tender was eventually awarded to Camp Rock, a company Chaskalson said had been nominated by Msibi.

Nxumalo has disputed aspects of the WhatsApp evidence in an affidavit submitted to the commission.

The commission has also indicated that it needs to establish who the directors of Camp Rock were before drawing conclusions from the evidence.

Chaskalson said the commission had not yet established whether a woman referred to in one of Nxumalo’s messages was Mashazi.

Nxumalo told the commission he could not remember the circumstances surrounding the message.

The commission is expected to approach the South African Reserve Bank to establish whether records relating to the transaction can be located.

The evidence also revisited a controversial London trip involving Mashazi.

In July 2022, Mashazi travelled to London with her husband and two friends on a privately chartered jet.

Evidence previously presented to the commission placed the cost of the flight at about R3.5 million, with Nxumalo’s company, ZIG Revenue Management, involved in paying the aviation provider.

Mashazi did not declare the trip while serving as Ekurhuleni city manager.

Evidence leader Advocate Adila Hassim SC previously said there was no evidence establishing what Nxumalo received in return, but questioned whether the value of the arrangement could have created expectations of influence or access.

Nxumalo has denied that the jet was chartered specifically for Mashazi, saying he had been asked to secure a better quotation for another businessman.

Chaskalson also led evidence on Msibi’s relationship with Carrim, pointing to what appeared to be a joint venture referred to as the “Transnational Ziggy” venture.

WhatsApp exchanges between Msibi and Advocate Makhosini Msibi were also placed before the commission. Chaskalson said the messages appeared to indicate attempts to interfere with prosecutions involving allegations of defeating the ends of justice.

Another set of messages concerned an alleged cannabis growing operation at factory premises in Germiston identified as Jackfrost Pharmaceuticals.

Chaskalson said the messages raised concerns that cannabis was allegedly being produced at the premises before the company obtained a licence in September 2022.

The commission adjourned after the evidence was presented.

Proceedings are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, when suspended MP Fadiel Adams is expected to take the stand.

The commission’s examination of Msibi’s digital communications is likely to provide further insight into the network of relationships, business dealings and alleged influence surrounding the late taxi boss.