KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Hawks head, Maj-Gen Lesetja Senona, returned to testify at the Madlanga Commission on Thursday, after telling commissioners he felt “crucified” during relentless questioning over his relationship with alleged tender tycoon, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

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

Senona, who began testifying on Monday, bristled as evidence leaders pressed him on what he described as a “brotherly” bond with Matlala, a man investigators have linked to serious corruption and organised crime networks.

He told the commission on Wednesday that he met Matlala at his wedding in Mamelodi in 2018 and maintained a close relationship until Matlala’s arrest in May last year.

That explanation drew visible frustration from commissioners, particularly when Senona conceded he knew Matlala was under investigation by the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit for his alleged role in the multibillion-rand Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal.

Despite this knowledge, Senona admitted he continued engaging Matlala socially and professionally, even exchanging WhatsApp messages with him a day before members of the Political Killings Task Team arrested the businessman in May 2025.

He repeatedly told the inquiry he had decided to “gradually” distance himself from Matlala, but failed to give a clear reason why he did not immediately sever ties after learning of the allegations.

Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga openly questioned that logic, reminding Senona of his duties as a senior police officer entrusted with upholding integrity and public confidence.

Madlanga pressed him on why, after deciding on March 5 to end contact, he continued communicating instead of cutting Matlala off immediately, given the gravity of the allegations.

Senona responded that he was “moving away” from Matlala, an answer that did little to quell concerns about judgment, accountability and the independence of the Hawks leadership.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Hawks head, Maj-Gen Lesetja Senona, returned to testify at the Madlanga Commission on Thursday, after telling commissioners he felt “crucified” during relentless questioning over his relationship with alleged tender tycoon, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

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

Senona, who began testifying on Monday, bristled as evidence leaders pressed him on what he described as a “brotherly” bond with Matlala, a man investigators have linked to serious corruption and organised crime networks.

He told the commission on Wednesday that he met Matlala at his wedding in Mamelodi in 2018 and maintained a close relationship until Matlala’s arrest in May last year.

That explanation drew visible frustration from commissioners, particularly when Senona conceded he knew Matlala was under investigation by the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit for his alleged role in the multibillion-rand Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal.

Despite this knowledge, Senona admitted he continued engaging Matlala socially and professionally, even exchanging WhatsApp messages with him a day before members of the Political Killings Task Team arrested the businessman in May 2025.

He repeatedly told the inquiry he had decided to “gradually” distance himself from Matlala, but failed to give a clear reason why he did not immediately sever ties after learning of the allegations.

Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga openly questioned that logic, reminding Senona of his duties as a senior police officer entrusted with upholding integrity and public confidence.

Madlanga pressed him on why, after deciding on March 5 to end contact, he continued communicating instead of cutting Matlala off immediately, given the gravity of the allegations.

Senona responded that he was “moving away” from Matlala, an answer that did little to quell concerns about judgment, accountability and the independence of the Hawks leadership.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics