KZN Hawks boss faces prosecution after Madlanga bombshell

KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major General Lesetja Senona has come under intense scrutiny following damning recommendations by the Madlanga Commission. Senona, who appeared before the commission this week, is among several senior police officials implicated in serious wrongdoing, according to the commission’s interim report submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The report recommends that Senona be investigated and prosecuted, alongside Major General Richard Shibiri, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi. The Presidency said Ramaphosa welcomed the findings, describing them as a critical step in restoring accountability within law enforcement.

Ramaphosa also endorsed the commission’s referral of matters for immediate criminal investigation, urgent decisions on prosecution, and recommendations concerning the employment status of those implicated, including their suspension pending the outcome of investigations.

Contacted by the Sunday Tribune, Senona said he appreciated the call but declined to comment on the commission's finding against him.

He referred questions to the Hawks national police spokesperson, Brigadier Thandi Mbambo.

Mbambo said the Hawks will follow the necessary internal prescripts available to deal with any misconduct.

"These processes cannot be discussed in the public domain, as they remain matters between the employer and the employee," said Mbambo.

Senona came under the commission's spotlight again this week when he was accused of sharing confidential police information, including ID numbers, with suspected crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.

“I feel like I am being crucified,” Senona said while being pressed by commissioners and the evidence leader.

It emerged Senona had forwarded an affidavit with personal information on alleged kidnapper Esmael Nangy to Matlala.

The affidavit in question contained hefty attachments bearing confidential information on some SAPS officers and Hawks officers in KZN under Senona’s supervision.

Senona told the commission that he sent the affidavit to Matlala “to sensitise him to be aware of this gentleman in his area (Centurion) that was arrested for kidnapping and extortion”.

But, co-commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC wanted to know how Senona obtained confidential documents and why he sent them to a private citizen.

It also emerged that Matlala sent Senona confidential documents about the Senzo and Thembeka Mchunu Foundation, including a top-secret document on President Cyril Ramaphosa and a corruption article on Rustenburg Local Municipality, after one of their meetings.

Senona said he did not open or read them, being unaware of their contents.

Despite the fact that Senona had referred to Matlala as his brother and friend, and claims that his son was in business Matlala, he claimed he did not know Matlala was involved in the Tembisa hospital tender scandal linked to whistleblower Barbita Deokaran's murder.

He claimed he only learned of Matlala's link to the Tembisa hospital scandal through commission-shared newspaper articles.

Justice Mbuyisile Madlanga grilled Senona on his selective memory, pointing out he often claimed not to recall details implicating Matlala, only acknowledging issues when confronted with evidence.

“A theme that runs through your statement is that when it comes to anything concerning Mr Matlala when you look at the text it is either you don't recall or you do not know and it is is a text stirring you in your face you will say 'yes I do read it now but I do not recall what this was all about’. That is a theme that runs through your testimony,” he said.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE