Witness F Hospitalised as Madlanga Commission Seeks to Probe Explosive WhatsApp Evidence that was lifted

Witness F, who was due to respond to allegations that he acted as a runner for suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and address other matters, failed to appear before the Madlanga Commission on Monday at 9.30am, his scheduled testimony was postponed.

Instead, the commission was informed that the Gauteng organised crime officer — identified only as Witness F, with his name and image withheld for safety reasons — had been hospitalised.

The commission said efforts to secure his testimony had become a prolonged game of cat-and-mouse, particularly as investigators sought to question him about private WhatsApp messages seized from his phone.

Witness F had filed a High Court application seeking to delay the proceedings until March 16. However, the commission confirmed that the application, submitted by his legal team, was abruptly withdrawn.

It later emerged that the officer had made a last-minute appearance at the North Gauteng High Court in an apparent attempt to avoid taking the stand and to prevent the commission from displaying chat records investigators believe could be explosive. The attempt failed as the commission pressed ahead.

Although partially protected, Witness F may still provide portions of his testimony behind closed doors.

He serves in Gauteng’s organised crime unit, which focuses on dismantling drug syndicates and violent hijacking networks, and works under Sibiya, who is currently suspended.

Testimony presented thus far has raised concerns about blurred loyalties and potentially compromised operations. Previous hearings linked Witness F to the questionable handling of sensitive information, including arrest warrants.

In one instance, he was allegedly dispatched by Sibiya to meet alleged cartel-linked figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

The commission is examining whether these actions point to deeper systemic failures within law enforcement structures or individual misconduct enabled by weak oversight.

Witness F has not been criminally charged. Sibiya has denied all corruption-related allegations against him.

The commission is expected to resume proceedings on Wednesday.

DAILY NEWS