A key suspect in the 2024 murder of engineer Armand Swart, linked to a Transnet tender scam, remains on the run as investigators testify about interference at the Madlanga Commission. Lucky Molefe, nephew of alleged hit orchestrator Katiso 'KT' Molefe, has evaded capture since December 2024. The killing stemmed from efforts to silence scrutiny over inflated prices in a non-advertised tender.
On October 22, 2025, Witness B, an organised crime officer from the Gauteng unit, testified remotely at the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria about the investigation into Armand Swart's murder. Swart, a Q Tech engineer, was shot dead in Vereeniging on April 17, 2024, in what investigators believe was a case of mistaken identity tied to a Transnet tender fraud.
The scam involved SK Group buying springs from Q Tech at R3.95 to R4 each and reselling them to Transnet for R151 apiece, without the tender being advertised. Q Tech, a supplier to Transnet for over 40 years, flagged the irregularities after a whistleblower alerted the Department of Public Enterprises, prompting an internal probe. Lucky Boitumelo Molefe, a Transnet buyer and nephew of Katiso 'KT' Molefe, championed the tender award. Payments to SK Group were routed through Thapelo Molefe's account, Katiso's son, before transfer to SK Group.
Under pressure on April 12, 2024, to provide doctored documents, Lucky turned to his uncle, who allegedly enlisted off-duty officer Michael Tau as a hitman. Vehicle tracking showed Tau scouting Q Tech from April 12 to 16, leading to the killing. Tau, Musa Kekana, and Floyd Mabusela were arrested that day; Katiso Molefe in December 2024. He faces charges for Swart's murder and the 2022 killings of DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos, and is out on R400,000 bail despite arrest interference attempts.
Lucky Molefe has been in hiding since December 2024, with police urging his surrender. Witness B highlighted deleted Q Tech records from Transnet systems to obscure traces. The commission also heard a phone recording of Sedibeng Commissioner Mbangwa Nkhwashu relaying orders to hand over dockets to Gauteng Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni, amid bribery allusions from senior officers like Richard Shibiri mentioning 'three envelopes.' Tau violated August 2024 bail conditions and was rearrested in September. Chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga questioned inferences of Lucky ordering the hit, but Witness B cited his stakes in the fraud.
Proceedings continue on October 23, revealing pressures on investigators probing Gauteng crime cartels.