Hearing record
Day 131
Witness: Itumeleng 'Tumelo' Nku
The commission abruptly halts Tumelo Nku's Aeroton testimony indefinitely on security grounds - and confirms it has subpoenaed alleged 'Big Five' figure 'Cat' Matlala to appear.
The day in brief
What you need to know
- Chairperson Madlanga abruptly postponed businessman Tumelo Nku's Aeroton testimony indefinitely, citing security concerns.
- Nku was present but gave no evidence: 'There are security concerns about Nku. We cannot hear his testimony at this stage.'
- The commission confirmed it had subpoenaed alleged 'Big Five' cartel figure Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala - held at Kgosi Mampuru II - to appear on 7 July 2026.
- It was understood Matlala agreed to testify on condition he would not be cross-examined on aspects of the R360m SAPS Medicare24 tender.
- All allegations remain untested and those named are presumed innocent.
Full coverage
The day, in depth
A witness silenced by security
The commission abruptly postponed the testimony of businessman Itumeleng 'Tumelo' Nku indefinitely, citing security concerns. Nku, who was due to conclude his evidence on the 2021 Aeroton cocaine bust, was present when chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga announced the halt: 'There are security concerns about Nku. We cannot hear his testimony at this stage. The hearing of his testimony is postponed indefinitely,' adding that an announcement would follow on when and under what circumstances he would return.
'Cat' Matlala subpoenaed
The commission separately confirmed it had subpoenaed alleged 'Big Five' cartel figure Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala - described by spokesperson Jeremy Michaels as a 'central figure' in its investigation and held at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre - to appear on 7 July 2026. It was understood Matlala agreed to testify on condition he would not be cross-examined on aspects of the R360 million SAPS Medicare24 tender, his legal team arguing that questioning on it could affect his ongoing legal proceedings.
On the record
Who testified this day
Follow the threads
Who Itumeleng 'Tumelo' Nku connects to
Zoom out
Related case files
Aeroton cocaine bust
A cocaine seizure from Brazil, routed through Durban to Gauteng, compromised at the scene with R55 million later unaccounted for - and a forensic trail pointing to an organised syndicate with insiders at the port. One of two cocaine cases the commission ties to the same trafficking pattern.
Read the case file →Case file · Tender fraudMedicare24 SAPS tender
A R360 million police medical tender, about R228 million paid, a web of alleged funders - and a central accused who pleaded guilty, then withdrew the deal and now heads to trial.
Read the case file →In the room & on the record
Counsel, the panel and sources
On the panel
- Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga (chairperson)