The arrest of alleged underworld figure Katiso “KT” Molefe has taken a dramatic turn. The Madlanga Commission has heard that senior Hawks officials interfered with the operation, compromising an ongoing police investigation. This revelation comes after weeks of testimony and mounting pressure on law enforcement accountability.
KT Molefe Arrest Linked to Murder of Engineer Armand Swart
KT Molefe was arrested in December 2024 in Sandton. He faces charges for allegedly orchestrating the murder of civil engineer Armand Swart. According to SAPS, the arrest was part of a broader crackdown on organised crime syndicates operating in Gauteng. The operation involved the SAPS Organised Crime Unit and the Political Killings Task Team.
Read our full report on how investigators connected Katiso Molefe to the murder in Armand Swart Murder: How Investigators Linked Katiso Molefe to the Case.
Hawks Interference Confirmed by Lieutenant General Mbotho
Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on 3 November 2025, Lieutenant General Dumisani Mbotho admitted that the Hawks interfered in the operation. He acknowledged that a team under his command was dispatched to Molefe’s residence, despite the arrest being authorised and active.
“I am not opposed to that view, because who they wanted to arrest there, with or without a warrant, was not our business,” Mbotho said.
Mbotho, who serves as the Divisional Commissioner for National Priority Offences Operations, said he received a directive from former Hawks boss Godfrey Lebeya. The instruction came via WhatsApp and included the address where Molefe was being arrested.
Hawks Members Questioned SAPS During Operation
Mbotho directed Brigadier Lesiba “Kleintjie” Mokoena to follow up. Mokoena deployed Captain Barry Kruger and Warrant Officer Sabelo Nkosi to the scene. Their task was to verify whether the operation was legitimate and sanctioned by SAPS leadership.
However, the Hawks team went further. They questioned SAPS members, asked to see the J50 arrest warrant, and requested details on the charges and case numbers. Commissioner Sesi Baloyi SC questioned this behaviour during the hearing.
“To ask that after your Hawks members have established that this is a legitimate operation, that would constitute interference?” Baloyi asked.
Presence of Helicopter Raises More Questions
Adding to the confusion was the deployment of a Gauteng Traffic Police helicopter. Chief Provincial Inspector George Raftopoulos testified that he was told by Captain Kruger of a “bogus operation.” Based on this, he authorised aerial support.
Discover exclusive testimony about the 2024 Sandton raid in Witness A Reveals Details of Katiso Molefe’s 2024 Arrest at Madlanga Commission.
This action created alarm among the SAPS team on the ground. Witnesses said the Hawks members acted aggressively and attempted to assert control over the arrest scene.
Alleged Link Between Molefe and Former Hawks Boss
Another layer of concern is the possible relationship between KT Molefe and senior Hawks figures. Nkosi testified that a man at the scene, who identified himself as Mr Mthethwa, claimed to be Molefe’s relative and a long-time friend of Mbotho. Mbotho denied knowing the man but confirmed he had received a call warning him of the operation.
This raises troubling questions about the motivations behind the Hawks’ involvement.
Madlanga Commission Probes State Collusion and Corruption
The Madlanga Commission is investigating collusion between criminals and state officials. It focuses on senior police, prosecutors, intelligence officers, and members of the judiciary. The KT Molefe arrest case has become a central piece of this inquiry.
Implications for South African Law Enforcement
This admission has triggered public outrage and renewed calls for reform within elite crime-fighting units. Legal analysts argue that such interference undermines the rule of law and signals deep-rooted corruption.
If the Madlanga Commission finds systemic collusion, it may recommend sweeping changes. These could affect the Hawks, SAPS, and intelligence oversight structures.
Learn how police were alerted to high-level connections in KT Molefe Friends With Senzo Mchunu, Police Told During Takedown.
A Watershed Moment for Accountability
The KT Molefe arrest case is no longer just about one man. It has exposed structural issues in South Africa’s criminal justice system. As the Madlanga Commission continues, more revelations may follow.
South Africans await justice, not only for Armand Swart, but for the credibility of institutions meant to protect them.
