Picture of alleged 'Big Five' cartel shown at Madlanga Commission
For the first time, the Madlanga Commission was shown a photograph depicting five men known as the Big Five Cartel.
The image showed the late taxi boss Jothan “Mswazi” Msibi, Jabu Mthetwa, known as “King Nyambose”, Ignatius Mothakati, Steve Motsumi and Katiso Molefe.
The men have featured in evidence before the inquiry, with their names and alleged connections emerging during testimony concerning the so-called Big Five Cartel.
The photograph was presented to former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya as the Commission sought to establish whether he knew the individuals pictured on Wednesday.
“General, you’re the head of the DPCI. There have been generals that have come here before the Commission who have been afraid to mention some of these individuals,” Commissioner Sesi Baloyi said.
Baloyi then questioned Lebeya about his knowledge of the men in the photograph.
Lebeya said he did not know King Nyambose.
He also said he did not know Ignatius Mothakati and could not recall hearing his name before the Commission.
When asked about Steve Motsumi, Lebeya again said he did not know him.
This prompted Baloyi to challenge Lebeya’s explanation that he could not be expected to know everyone in South Africa.
Baloyi said the issue was not whether Lebeya knew everyone in the country, but whether the head of the Hawks should know, or at least know of, people alleged to be involved in serious organised crime.
“It is you are the head of the Hawks. You have a component of your functions being organised crime, serious organised crime,” Baloyi told him.
The commissioner pointed to evidence from other senior police officials who had appeared before the Commission and had knowledge of some of the individuals being discussed.
He specifically referred to KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head General Lesetja Senona, saying it was concerning that a senior official could know of an individual he regarded as dangerous, while the national head of the Hawks said he did not know the person.
Baloyi rejected Lebeya’s response that he could not be expected to know everyone in South Africa.
“This is not a case of I don’t know everyone in South Africa,” Baloyi said.
The Commissioner said Lebeya was being questioned specifically as the head of the Hawks, an organisation whose mandate includes serious organised crime.
She questioned how someone allegedly involved in serious organised crime could be known to a senior provincial official but not to the national head of the organisation.
Lebeya maintained that the information had never been shared with him.
He said he was not aware of the individuals’ activities.
The Madlanga Commission has shared images of individuals who have been mentioned several times at the commission and alleged to be involved in organised crimes, linked to the Big 5 cartel. pic.twitter.com/EXtvQtWJvr
— Anastasi Mokgobu (@AnastasiMokgobu) September 2, 2026
A HUGE FAILING BY THE HAWKS
The Commission then took the questioning further.
Baloyi asked Lebeya whether, if there was a suspicion that one or more of the individuals were involved in serious organised crime, that would fall within the Hawks’ mandate.
Lebeya accepted that it would.
The Commissioner then asked whether it would amount to a major organisational failure if a senior Hawks official had information about such people, but the information never reached the organisation’s meetings, investigations or projects.
“It’s a huge failing by the Hawks,” Baloyi said.
Lebeya accepted that it would be a serious failing if the organisation had never looked into the group despite information being held by senior officials.
He also agreed that if there was a suspicion that any of the individuals,either individually or as a group, were involved in serious organised crime, investigating the matter would fall within the Hawks’ mandate.
The Malcolm X message and ‘King Nyambose’
Lebeya’s evidence about Malcolm X also came under scrutiny after the Commission considered a message X sent him following the Molefe operation.
X thanked Lebeya for sending officers to the home and referred to “King Nyambose” appreciating his efforts.
Lebeya said he did not know why X had mentioned Nyambose’s name and maintained that he had never met him.
The message became significant because Lebeya had already told the Commission that he did not know who Nyambose was.
It added to the Commission’s broader questioning of what Lebeya knew about individuals who have featured in testimony about alleged organised crime networks.
LEBEYA'S DEFENCE
Throughout his testimony, Lebeya rejected the suggestion that he had deliberately attempted to interfere with Molefe’s arrest.
He said his actions were prompted by concerns that people were impersonating Hawks officers and that he had a responsibility to verify the information he had received.
The former Hawks national head also rejected suggestions that he had relationships with people in the criminal underworld.
His evidence was that he directed senior officials to establish whether the people at Molefe’s home were legitimate police officers.
The Commission, however, questioned whether sending Hawks officers to an already active police operation was appropriate, particularly once the legitimacy of that operation had been established.
Lebeya concluded his testimony on Wednesday afternoon.
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