The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday heard testimony alleging that senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officers used state resources to silence social media commentator Musa Khawula after he published posts implicating alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala in serious criminal activities.

Testifying under the pseudonym Witness F, a senior police officer told the commission that in October 2024, he was instructed by suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya to assist in the arrest of Khawula on charges of crimen injuria and contraventions of the Cybercrimes Act.

The charges arose from Khawula’s social media posts allegedly insulting ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and businessman Z Nxumalo.

Witness F told the commission that despite the minor nature of the charges, an unusually large police operation was authorised, including members of the Gauteng tracking team and a Hawks officer.

Commissioner Madlanga questioned the justification for deploying such high-level resources, asking what threat Khawula posed that warranted their involvement.

Witness F testified that while on his way to arrest Khawula, Sibiya phoned him and instructed him to forward the warrant of arrest to Matlala. According to Witness F, Sibiya explained that Matlala’s private security company, Cat VIP Protection Services, frequently encountered Khawula at public venues and could assist in effecting the arrest.

Witness F said he complied with the instruction and sent the warrant to Matlala, adding that Khawula was believed to be at a location manned by Matlala’s private security at the time. He told the commission he did not question the instruction, as it came from a senior officer.

The witness further testified that Sibiya told him he was under pressure from the office of Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale to ensure Khawula was arrested. Witness F said there was no sense of urgency communicated to him that justified the scale of the operation, given that the charges related to alleged insults rather than violent crime.

The commission also heard evidence involving SAPS General Richard Shibiri, who is alleged to have contacted Khawula directly and urged him to stop posting about Matlala. Witness F said Shibiri later shared screenshots of the communication with him, although he could not confirm whether Shibiri explicitly warned Khawula to halt his reporting.

According to Witness F, Khawula’s posts accused Matlala of fraud linked to contracts at Tembisa Hospital, involvement in drug operations allegedly connected to slain musician DJ Sumbody, and links to the killing of Babita Deokaran. Khawula also alleged that Matlala had associations with Vusi “Khekhe” of the Boko Haram gang and that Matlala’s wife, Cordelia, had faced legal scrutiny for travelling with police blue lights.

Witness F acknowledged knowing Matlala socially, describing their relationship as based on shared interests in motorcycles and boats. He testified that in December 2023, Sibiya instructed him to fetch Matlala, who later complained directly to Sibiya about difficulties he was experiencing with a SAPS contract he claimed to have secured.

The commission further heard that Witness F invited Matlala to a “Thanksgiving ceremony” at Sibiya’s home in 2024, allegedly on Sibiya’s instruction.

Commissioner Madlanga expressed concern that the forwarding of police documents to civilians appeared not to be an isolated incident. He noted that similar conduct had emerged during other testimonies before the commission.

Witness F maintained that he acted strictly on instructions from his superiors and denied any intention to misuse his authority. He said his actions were guided by obedience to command rather than personal interest.

The Madlanga Commission continues on Thursday. However, witness F is set to return on Friday morning.