The arrest of suspected cartel figure Katiso “KT” Molefe has drawn renewed attention to alleged ties between politics and crime. According to police testimony, during a December 2024 takedown operation in Sandhurst, a bodyguard claimed KT Molefe was friends with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
This revelation is fuelling accusations of state capture within the police service. The incident has since become a central talking point at the Madlanga Commission, a public inquiry into alleged interference in SAPS investigations.
Who Is KT Molefe and Why Does He Matter?
KT Molefe is a high-profile figure allegedly connected to the so-called “Big 5” criminal cartel. This syndicate is believed to operate across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with links to drugs, extortion, contract killings, and fraudulent tenders.
A detailed report by Explain.co.za outlines Molefe’s role in this alleged underworld network. He was arrested in December 2024 during a multi-agency operation targeting organised crime.
The Controversial “Friend of Mchunu” Statement
The claim that KT Molefe is “a friend of Senzo Mchunu” emerged during police testimony at the Madlanga Commission in October 2025. A bodyguard at the scene reportedly asked what would happen next, stating that Molefe was close to the minister.
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“He asked me what was going to happen now, because the arrested person was the friend of the minister,” the officer testified.
This comment has intensified public scrutiny of Mchunu, who has faced growing calls to step down.
Minister Mchunu Denies Any Wrongdoing
Minister Senzo Mchunu has strongly denied all claims linking him to KT Molefe or any form of police interference. He dismissed the allegations as “baseless and wild”, according to Report Focus News.
However, political pressure continues to mount. The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has called for Mchunu to “step aside” while investigations unfold.
“Criminal syndicates have infiltrated the police and have influence over the minister,” said SAPU.
What the Madlanga Commission Has Revealed So Far
The Madlanga Commission, launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in mid-2025, is investigating systemic corruption and political interference in the police service.
KwaZulu-Natal commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive testimony described a “criminal syndicate” reaching into top levels of SAPS, judiciary, and even correctional services.
“This investigation has unmasked the syndicate which involves politicians, law enforcement, prosecutors, judiciary… controlled by a drug cartel.”
Mchunu’s name has surfaced multiple times, though no direct evidence has yet proven wrongdoing on his part.
A Symptom of a Deeper Crisis in South Africa’s Police Service
The phrase “KT Molefe friends with Senzo Mchunu” may sound trivial on the surface. But in the context of organised crime and political interference, it symbolises something deeper, the weakening of trust in state institutions.
The suggestion that a criminal figure could invoke ties to the police minister is seen by many as a red flag. Experts argue this shows how criminal networks could be shielded from prosecution due to political connections.
Public Reaction and Government Response
Following public outcry, President Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on a “leave of absence” pending the outcome of the inquiry. The President also reiterated his commitment to rooting out corruption in law enforcement.
Senior advisors are now pushing for a full audit of political interference in SAPS investigations.
What Happens Next?
As the Madlanga Commission continues, more revelations are expected to surface. Whether or not Molefe’s claim of friendship with Mchunu proves true, the damage to public trust is real.
This case shows how perceptions of corruption — even unproven — can erode the credibility of institutions vital to South Africa’s democracy.
