Evidence presented at the Madlanga Commission revealed an alleged plot by late taxi boss Jotham “King Mswazi” Msibi and suspended Sergeant Fannie Nkosi to acquire sophisticated phone-interception grabber technology from a Czech Republic supplier using the South African Police Service as a front before reselling the surveillance equipment to eSwatini.
WhatsApp Messages, Police Stamps, and the Czech Connection
Chief Evidence Leader Matthew Chaskalson detailed how the group planned to procure active monitoring systems and tactical equipment, totaling R1.16 million, through correspondence that included official South African Police Service (SAPS) stamps and force numbers. Chaskalson alleged that Nkosi used a police stamp and his force number on a procurement document to help advance the deal, characterising the conduct as fraudulent. Negotiations with a Czech Republic-based dealer relied on staging a formal product demonstration under the guise of an official domestic police operation. Investigators traced electronic correspondence back to January 2023, when a contact saved on Sergeant Nkosi’s mobile device as Shaun Jacobs — phone expert
inquired whether the “Swazi deal” remained possible. Nkosi forwarded the message to Msibi.
It’s on the table but they have to display. We don’t want to become fools.
Msibi replied with those exact terms, highlighting the necessity of staging a live equipment showcase to reassure the Czech supplier that the equipment was being acquired for police purposes, despite allegations that it was ultimately destined for eSwatini. The commission also examined messages involving Msibi and Kyle Phillips, a director of the tobacco company Carnilinx. The exchanges allegedly concerned repeated thefts and hijackings of cigarette consignments. Chaskalson said an individual named “Ali”, whom he described as a suspected robber, communicated with Phillips about recovering stolen stock. In another exchange, Phillips allegedly offered Msibi “red water”, a substance associated with illicit gold processing.
Unpacking the Surveillance Technology and Regional Ambitions
Grabbers can intercept mobile communications and extract data from phones, making them powerful surveillance tools that can be used to eavesdrop on phone calls and extract information from mobile devices. Chaskalson stated that Msibi, Nkosi, Katiso “KT” Molefe and Steven Motsumi appeared to be involved in a plan to acquire the devices from a Czech Republic company using the South African Police Service as a front. Further evidence shows Motsumi and Msibi planning a trip to Paris and Hamburg for a procurement meeting to buy an active monitoring system and tactical equipment to the tune of R1.16 million.
During proceedings before the commission, Chaskalson emphasized the alarming nature of private individuals negotiating foreign intelligence assets while purporting to represent the state. European dealers were repeatedly led to believe that Motsumi was a representative of the state, while the group had been able to represent the South African state as civilians allegedly due to their association with Nkosi.
Again we have a situation where a European dealer in high-tech security surveillance security equipment and the like is being told Mr Motsumi was a representative of the state … Mr Msibi, Mr Motsumi, Mr Molefe and possibly Sergeant Nkosi are involved in a commercial project which involves the selling of high-tech surveillance systems and jamming technology.
Broader Criminal Entanglements and Corporate Networks
The inquiry into the surveillance deal also exposed separate commercial and illicit networks connecting key figures in the conspiracy. Msibi was identified as the owner of security company Themy Styles, and Molefe was listed as its director. Molefe is also facing trial-related allegations linked to the murders of musicians DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos, and is a co-accused with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala in a case that is before the Johannesburg High Court. Furthermore, Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo had described Msibi as the former leader of the Big Five cartel, while Molefe’s firearms have been linked to more than 30 murder scenes in Gauteng in the past five years. Chaskalson also noted that Motsumi was an individual whom the former head of Hawks, Lesetja Senona, had been afraid to mention during his testimony at the commission.
Next Steps at the Inquiry
Chaskalson noted regarding the grabbers that the group didn't manage in the first case to sell to the eSwatini government [but] they may well have managed in this instance; we don't know.
The commission is expected to hear more evidence related to the claims as the inquiry continues.
