Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has denied suspended Sedibeng District Police Commissioner Brigadier Abraham Nkhwashu's testimony that he requested police dockets—including for the April 2024 assassination of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart—via Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni. Lesufi's office called the claim misleading amid ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry hearings into alleged probe interferences.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi denied claims by suspended Sedibeng District Police Commissioner Brigadier Abraham Nkhwashu that he originated orders to collect police dockets with warrants of arrest, including the one for the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart (assassinated April 17, 2024). The denial followed Nkhwashu's April 22 testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Nkhwashu testified that Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni directed him to gather the dockets, claiming the instruction came from Lesufi. Premier's spokesperson Sizwe Pamla rejected this as misleading, stating Lesufi respects the independence of the South African Police Service (SAPS). "Premier Lesufi reaffirmed his respect for SAPS’ independence and challenged the brigadier-in-chief to provide written proof," Pamla said.
Pamla added that Lesufi only receives routine crime prevention briefings from SAPS, such as the 'eyes and ears' programme, and does not interfere in operational matters. Nkhwashu had testified he had no personal interest in the Swart docket.
