Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has has denied that he ever requested J50 warrants of arrest.
Image: Itumeleng English
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has pushed back against explosive claims aired at the Madlanga Commission, rejecting allegations that he ordered police to hand over sensitive case dockets for personal scrutiny.
The accusations, raised by Mbangwa Nkwashu, suggested that high-level political pressure had been exerted to access dockets, including those carrying J50 arrest warrants.
Nkwashu told the commission that among the cases flagged was the docket linked to the fatal shooting of engineer Armand Swart, who was killed outside his Vereeniging office in April 2024.
The Gauteng provincial government has rejected the claims outright.
Provincial spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga described the testimony as “baffling” and pointed to correspondence from Tommy Mthombeni, which he said clarified that the request for dockets originated within SAPS leadership structures—not from the premier.
According to Mhlanga, the letter indicated that the handling of wanted suspects and J50 warrants falls under operational policing, led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Khumalo, in coordination with Crime Intelligence.
He stated that the premier’s office does not interfere in policing matters and only receives routine briefings on crime-fighting strategies.
Lesufi has challenged Nkwashu to produce documentary evidence to substantiate the claims.
He warned that, without proof, such allegations risk distorting official records and eroding public confidence in governance processes.
Lesufi said he supported the work of the commission but would move to correct what he described as misleading statements through appropriate legal channels.
He also urged restraint, cautioning against sensationalism while the commission continues its work.
DAILY NEWS