SAPS Sergeant Denies Allegations of Tipping Off Kidnapping Suspect Prior to Failed Counter-Intelligence Raid

SAPS Sergeant Fannie Nkosi denies tipping off Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala about a police raid during his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 11:36 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from TimesLIVE

The Shadow of the Madlanga Commission

The ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, tasked with investigating corruption and internal sabotage within the South African Police Service (SAPS), heard critical testimony today from Sergeant Fannie Nkosi. Nkosi is currently at the center of allegations involving the "leaking" of operational secrets to high-profile suspects. The focus of Tuesday's hearing was a botched December 6, 2024, raid on the home of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman allegedly linked to the disappearance of Jerry Boshoga.

A Question of Timing and Intent

Evidence presented to the commission suggests that Nkosi was on a phone call with Matlala at the exact moment the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence team arrived at Matlala’s residence. Previous witnesses claimed Matlala boasted about his senior police connections, stating he had been warned of the team's arrival. Nkosi, however, testified that his communication was a "scheduling follow-up" regarding a formal interview requested by his superior, Captain Ramangwa. He claimed that when he called on the day of the raid, Matlala abruptly told him to hang up because officers were already inside his house.

Inter-Departmental Friction and Parallel Investigations

The testimony highlighted a significant lack of coordination within the SAPS. Nkosi claimed he was unaware that the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence team was investigating the Boshoga kidnapping simultaneously with his own office. He distanced himself from the raiding party, noting that most of the members were from KwaZulu-Natal, a province where he claimed to have no professional contacts except for Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. This perceived "silo" effect within the police service is a recurring theme of the commission’s inquiry into systemic inefficiency.