The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) calls for the immediate removal, arrest and criminal prosecution of KZN Hawks Major General Lesetja Senona, whose testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has exposed conduct that is wholly incompatible with the responsibilities of a senior law-enforcement officer.
Over the course of his appearance, Senona admitted that he advised Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a controversial businessman alleged to be involved in criminal syndicates and linked to the R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) contract that was rightfully cancelled due to irregularities, to pursue legal avenues against the SAPS after that contract was suspended. This advice was given despite Matlala’s public reputation and ongoing investigations into his activities, a decision that undermines ethical policing and the impartiality required of a senior Hawks official.
The Commission has further revealed that Senona’s attempts to frame this intervention as innocent “legal advice” are unconvincing and inappropriate, given his position. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga himself suggested that Senona’s explanations were inadequate and that his testimony failed to withstand scrutiny, particularly where he tried to distance himself from the seriousness of his actions.
More troubling still are the findings confirmed in evidence presented by the Commission, showing that Senona was caught in a lie about the nature and timing of his relationship with Matlala. The Commission introduced WhatsApp messages that directly contradict Senona’s claim that he had begun distancing himself from Matlala after learning of his alleged links to serious crimes. Instead, messages show that he maintained close communications with Matlala long after those allegations surfaced, including sharing sensitive materials and continuing personal contact.
Senona’s explanations to the Commission were undermined by these very messages, which revealed he shared police affidavits and other information with Matlala, including details that contained confidential data about police officers and their deployments, and later tried to justify this by claiming he had not read the full content of the documents before forwarding them. Such evasions and contradictions seriously undermine public confidence in his integrity and competence.
These revelations alone, which expose that the lives of officers were auctioned to criminals by Senona, should have resulted in his arrest immediately outside of the Madlanga Commission venue.
Under intense questioning about the WhatsApp records, commissioners described Senona’s responses as evasive and inconsistent, raising further questions about his honesty under oath. His claimed ignorance about key details was repeatedly challenged by documentary evidence, leading to the conclusion that his narrative was unreliable and self-serving.
This conduct cannot be dismissed as a mere lapse in judgment. It reflects a senior law-enforcement official who blurred the lines between personal associations, criminal enrichment, and the impartial execution of his duties. The fact that Senona’s continued contact with Matlala persisted long after serious criminal allegations had come to light, and that he shared sensitive information with him, casts a dark shadow over the independence of the Hawks and their ability to pursue corruption without fear or favour.
The EFF therefore reiterates that Lesetja Senona is unfit to hold any position of authority within South Africa’s criminal justice system. This is in line with Madlanga Commission’s interim findings that have identified prima facie evidence of wrongdoing against Senona and other senior SAPS officials, recommending further investigation and action.
We therefore call for Senona’s immediate removal from office, his arrest, and investigation on all charges arising from his conduct. Furthermore, we demand a full and transparent investigation into all officials and structures that enabled or worked alongside him in these activities.
The EFF has been involved in discussions with international leftist movements.
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