PRETORIA – Maverick South African police chief, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has shed fresh light on Gauteng Province’s so-called Big Five drug lords, describing them as businessmen with contracts linked to the government who had cultivated deep links within the upper echelons of power.
Mkhwananzi, who was answering to questions from members of parliament on Wednesday, stirred a hornet’s nest a few months ago when he alleged that South Africa’s police minister, Senzo Mchunu, was in the pockets of some of that country’s most notorious criminals.
Those criminals include Gauteng’s so called Big Five drug lords, who in their ranks allegedly count Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso Molefe, who are both currently facing trial.
In his testimony, Mkhwananzi confirmed that Matlala and Molefe were members of this all powerful syndicate. He refused to name the other three remaining members of the cartel.
“You are asking who are these Big Fives? We can only talk about those who have already been arrested and are before court,” he said. “Those who have not been arrested, unfortunately, we are not at liberty to discuss.”
Mkhwananzi said the five were well connected individuals who were in bed with government.
“These are tenderpreneurs, people who have benefited from government contracts. They are financially powerful and are part of this whole network,” said Mkhwanazi.
“We did not include the names of the remaining three because we do not want to implicate individuals before they appear in court.”
Pressed on reports that members of the judiciary might be aiding the syndicate, Mkhwanazi said several presiding officers were under investigation but declined to name names.
“It’s not one or two,” he told MPs. We have magistrates who preside over matters involving their own associates and make rulings contrary to what the state has requested. We must ask ourselves why.”
