Overview
- Under questioning, Lesetja Senona conceded he forwarded an affidavit and other police records from the Esmael Nangy case to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, with commissioners saying such sharing violated SAPS directives and privacy protections.
- He acknowledged telling Matlala to “take them on” after SAPS cancelled a R360 million contract, as Commissioner Sesi Baloyi pressed that the advice suggested a conflict between his friend’s business and his employer.
- Senona claimed some WhatsApp records were tampered with and said he did not open confidential documents Matlala sent, including one referencing President Cyril Ramaphosa, a version Chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga challenged as improbable.
- Evidence leaders highlighted texts indicating he agreed to follow up on Matlala’s requests about a senior official, and commissioners accused him of evasiveness over the phrase “our brother,” which Baloyi said referred to Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
- He denied involvement in his son Thato’s proposed property purchase with Matlala and concluded his testimony on Thursday, as the commission noted he has already been referred for further investigation in its interim report.