Cartel Shadow State: Lebeya, Malema & The Truth About “King Nyambose”

Former Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Head Denies Knowledge Of High Profile Underworld Cartel Leaders During High Stakes Commission Interrogation

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Retired Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation head Dr. Godfrey Lebea faced intense cross-examination during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality and corruption in the justice system, denying all knowledge of key underworld figures despite photographic evidence recovered from a murder suspect’s mobile device.

Evidence leader Advocate Lee Sejake presented a photograph retrieved from the phone of Katiso KT Malefa, a murder suspect released on bail, showing multiple alleged organized crime leaders positioned together.

When presented with the image, Dr. Godfrey Lebea testified under oath that he did not know Katiso Malefa, Steve Matsumi, Jabu Msibi, Zaye Khumalo, Ignatius Mutakati, or Msuu Motumi.

Advocate Lee Sejake directly challenged Dr. Godfrey Lebea, pointing out that provincial law enforcement leaders, including General Booysen and General Khana, expressed severe fear regarding the dangerous nature of these specific individuals.

Dr. Godfrey Lebea dismissed the criticism from the evidence leader, stating: “I don’t think that it is strange that we do not know all people in South Africa. I do not know them”.

Addressing the broader structural threat of the cartel, General Mkhwanazi previously testified before an ad hoc committee and ENCA cameras in Durban on April 17, explaining that the group known as the Big Five operated as a sophisticated cartel seeking political control and the manipulation of law enforcement.

General Mkhwanazi detailed how the late taxi industry figure Jabu Msibi operated a game farm north of Pretoria in an eAking reserve, which functioned as a shadow parliament where prominent politicians, business executives, and taxi bosses gathered to submit to his authority.

General Mkhwanazi further testified that Katiso Matlala was merely a proxy attempting to replace one of the core leaders, describing him as a small fish in the pond compared to figures such as Steve Matsumi, Andrew Boy Teto, Msuu Motumi, and Jabu Msibi.

During the inquiry, General Mkhwanazi referenced public political ties involving Julius Malema, who publicly acknowledged his close personal friendship with Zaye Khumalo, the son of Inkatha Freedom Party founder Professor Khumalo.

The commission pivoted to an operational incident at the residence of Katiso Malefa located at 137 Empire Place, where Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation officers arrived during an active execution of J50 arrest warrants.

According to testimony from Sergeant Nkosiyane, a message was relayed via a traffic police helicopter from Chief George confirming that a legitimate counter-intelligence task team operation authorized by Lieutenant General Khumalo was underway under the command of Lieutenant Khumalo.

Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation officers verified the legitimacy of the operation within ten minutes of arriving at 5:10 PM, yet remained on the scene for an additional 40 to 50 minutes demanding to view the J50 warrants.

During the raid, businessman Malcolm X contacted Dr. Godfrey Lebea directly, claiming to act on behalf of the brother of Katiso Malefa to verify if the arresting officers were genuine police officials.

Dr. Godfrey Lebea dispatched officers to the residence after initially stating he had not sent any personnel, leading to the confirmation that legitimate law enforcement officers were executing valid arrest warrants.

Commission records revealed that Malcolm X sent a text message to Dr. Godfrey Lebea conveying gratitude from an individual identified as King Nyambos, who is linked to Andrew Boy Teto.

Following the text message exchange, Malcolm X placed a three-minute phone call to Dr. Godfrey Lebea at 9:52 PM, nearly five hours after the initial verification at the scene had concluded.

Commissioner General Khumalo interrogated Dr. Godfrey Lebea regarding the late-night telephone call, questioning why the head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation spent three minutes discussing an active operation with a civilian at 10:00 PM when official written feedback confirming the arrest had already been received at 6:40 PM.

Dr. Godfrey Lebea testified that he could not recall the specific words exchanged during the three-minute phone call, maintaining that the discussion concerned the operational feedback provided by Malcolm X, whom he treated as an information source.

In his own testimony, Malcolm X confirmed contacting General Mkhwanazi via text message and contacting Dr. Godfrey Lebea to verify the identity of the officers at the scene, denying any personal meeting or direct phone contact with Katiso Malefa.

Challenging the explanation offered by the retired official, Justice Madlanga stated directly to Dr. Godfrey Lebea: “Nyambos thanked you for all your efforts. I will not let you off that easily general because the impression this gives is that you and Malcolm X were working with this Nyambos. The explanation you give is not cogent at all”.

Dr. Godfrey Lebea denied meeting or knowing King Nyambos, testifying that he merely received information from Malcolm X as he would from any other source or informant.

Concluding his appearance before the panel, Dr. Godfrey Lebea defended his professional tenure, declaring: “I am incorruptible. As proven by all witnesses who came before the commission, no one has hinted that I have received a cent in gratification from anybody. I cannot disappoint the people of Polokwane and the South Africans by betraying the trust vested in me. I am incorruptible”.

Cartel Shadow State: Lebeya, Malema & The Truth About “King Nyambose” | Mkhwanazi Was Right!

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