Update@Noon

Former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya says political interference in policing dates back to at least 2009. Testifying before the Madlanga Commission, Lebeya says he was assigned in August 2009 to investigate murder and matters involving Crime Intelligence. He says his investigation later found that family members of Crime Intelligence personnel had allegedly been irregularly appointed within the covert component. Lebeya says his position as Hawks Divisional Commissioner was abolished in January 2011, although he was not told why. Lebeya also told the Commission that political interference created confusion over command structures within the SAPS. He cited a 2011 incident involving Lieutenant Generals being instructed to attend a funeral by then-Acting National Commissioner Major General Mkwanazi.

Dr Godfrey Lebeya told the Madlanga Commission that criminals often pretend to be Hawks or other officials to trick people into paying money. Some even used his own photos and forged a warrant against the Deputy President. Lebeya also explained how he meets informants like Malcolm X and warned that knowing someone does not protect them if they break the law.

Former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya has told the Madlanga Commission that his relationship with Paul O’Sullivan was cordial until he refused to disclose details of the Phala Phala investigation. Lebeya says O’Sullivan contacted him for an update on the case while in Chauke’s presence. He says he could not understand O’Sullivan’s interest in details of a matter under the Directorate’s purview.

Former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya told the Madlanga Commission he never knew or spoke to Katiso Molefe. He said Molefe did not ask him to send Hawks members to stop a police operation at his house in Sandton. Lebeya blamed poor planning and weak leadership for many police units arriving at the same scene. He said he only asked two managers to check claims that people were pretending to be Hawks members acting on his orders.

Former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya told the Madlanga Commission it is probable that Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi knew about serious organised crime in November 2024, When He approved Lieutenant General Khumalo's request to send members from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng after the killing of Q-Tech Engineer, Armand Swart