A team of elite investigators descended on the Sandhurst home of Katiso “KT” Molefe on December 6, 2024, in a high-stakes operation that took an unexpected turn with the sudden arrival of a separate police unit....Click to Read More >>➤
Captain Maxwell Wanda, a former member of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), provided these details to the Madlanga Commission. Wanda served as a crime scene investigator during the operation at Molefe’s residence.
The suspect, Katiso “KT” Molefe, faces accusations of ordering the murder of Armand Swart. Wanda testified that he only learned the identity of the suspect upon the team’s arrival at the house.
The Takedown at Molefe’s Residence
Upon arrival, the team immediately secured the perimeter. Wanda described finding Molefe’s bodyguard, Lehasa Moloi, handcuffed near the tennis court. Two firearms, a rifle and a pistol, were on the ground next to him.
A few meters away, alongside the gymnasium, investigators found another pistol. A witness, identified only as Witness A, then guided the team to a white BMW.
Inside the vehicle, on the back seat, was a rifle bag. The bag contained three or four loaded rifle magazines. The property also featured a fleet of cars parked under a carport and in an open garage.
Inside the main house, Wanda noted a well-set-up office containing various documents. Among these papers were three A4 pages filled with specimen signatures.
Witness A took possession of some documents. A colleague of Wanda collected the ballistic evidence, which included two pistols, one rifle, and associated magazines and ammunition.
Unexpected Arrival of the Hawks
While processing the scene, the operation was interrupted. A combat member requested Wanda proceed to the main gate, where members of the Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, had gathered.
Wanda identified them by their golf shirts bearing the Hawks emblem and their official vehicles. He estimated between six and eight members were present outside the closed gate.
Wanda found their presence both unexpected and problematic. He stated he did not anticipate the Hawks’ involvement in the operation. The demeanor of the arriving officers was notably aggressive.
He described the Hawks members as demanding answers immediately. The large number of officers and their confrontational attitude created a tense situation. Wanda felt the situation was not friendly from the start.
A Tense Standoff and Potential for Escalation
Wanda defended the legitimacy of the PKTT’s operation. He confirmed the team possessed a J50 warrant of arrest signed by a magistrate. He stated everything was conducted officially.
He viewed the Hawks’ arrival as an interference, especially given the serious nature of the case. The PKTT members wore bulletproof vests clearly marked “SAPS,” which should have indicated they were legitimate police officers.
Wanda expressed deep concern over the incident. He described the operation as highly sensitive and dangerous. The unexpected arrival of a large, armed group from another unit could have led to a disastrous confrontation.
He emphasized that anything could have happened. With armed police on one side and armed state agents on the other, a misunderstanding could have escalated violently. Proper prior coordination is essential to avoid such risks.
Resolution and Explanation
The situation de-escalated after Wanda and Witness A engaged with Hawks Captain Barry Kruger. Witness A explained the operation and presented the J50 warrant to Captain Kruger.
Wanda informed the captain that General Dumisani Khumalo was the project manager. Mentioning General Khumalo’s name had a calming effect on the Hawks members, who began to stand down.
The Hawks members explained their reason for arriving at Molefe’s house. They had received a call reporting individuals impersonating police officers. They came to verify the operation’s legitimacy.
After assessing the situation, the Hawks members conceded they had been misinformed about the nature of the police activity at the ...Click to Read More >>➤
