Overview

• Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga confirmed a settlement with News24 and Daily Maverick that allows remote, off‑camera testimony to be relayed publicly by an intermediary, with anonymised statements displayed and transcripts released after testimony.
• An anonymous witness identified as Mr X began testifying about WhatsApp chats allegedly showing a beneficial relationship between Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and KZN Hawks head Maj‑Gen Lesetja Senona, including claims of shared confidential SAPS information.
• The arrangement covers testimony on Tuesday and Wednesday and provides for three partially closed witnesses next Monday to Wednesday, with two speaking in their own voices off‑camera and one using an intermediary; terms for witnesses expected on Thursday and Friday remain under discussion.
• Crime Intelligence head Lt‑Gen Dumisani Khumalo, whose earlier evidence outlined a so‑called “Big Five” cartel, will not return to the stand during this period due to illness.
• In parallel parliamentary hearings, suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya continued testimony, denied being a rogue officer, and disputed claims that KwaZulu‑Natal political killings dockets gathered dust in his office, as MPs debated potential conflicts of interest.