JMPD Officer Suspended Amid Allegations Of Helping Murder Suspect Katiso Molefe

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) confirmed that one of its officers, deployed in the K9 Unit, has been suspended following allegations made at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The officer, Johannes Makgatle, was accused of allegedly misusing state resources to assist murder-accused Katiso Molefe. KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi claimed Makgatle renewed vehicle licences for Molefe in exchange for personal favours.

“An example I’m putting here is one police officer from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department. This police officer is a very close associate of the arrested Mr. Katiso Molefe,” Mkhwanazi told the commission.

Investigation finds no evidence of JMPD Officer aiding Molefe, but policy breached

Investigators found no proof that Makgatle accessed or used state systems to benefit Molefe on the day of his arrest in December 2024, said the JMPD.

“The investigation found no evidence to substantiate claims that state systems or resources were used to assist Katiso Molefe on the day of his arrest,” said JMPD spokesperson Fihla. Investigators could also not confirm whether he renewed vehicle licences or disclosed information about a suspicious vehicle.

However, Makgatle was found to have breached JMPD vehicle policy. He reported sick on the day of Molefe’s arrest but was later observed at Molefe’s residence, using a council vehicle without authorisation.

“He utilised the departmental vehicle to drive to Molefe’s home address and the surrounding block before returning to his own residence,” Fihla explained. “He failed to obtain an Occurrence Book (OB) entry from the radio room or request permission from his direct supervisor for the use of the vehicle.”

Makgatle has since been suspended, with internal prosecution proceedings underway.

“Officer Johannes Makgatle is currently on suspension. The matter has been referred for internal prosecution, and formal charges will be served in due course,” Fihla said.

Molefe and associates linked to string of violent crimes

Molefe, along with co-accused Musa Kekana, Tau and Floyd Mabusela, faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms.

SAPS national spokesperson Athlenda Mathe revealed that three firearms recovered in a major organised crime investigation, including an AK-47 and two pistols, have been linked to 18 murder and attempted murder cases allegedly connected to Molefe and alleged murder businessman Vusimuzi Matlala.

The AK-47 was tied to the attempted murder of taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni in 2022, the killings of DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards in 2022, the murder of Don Tindleni in 2023, and the mistaken-identity killing of engineer Armand Swart in April 2024. One of the pistols was linked to the attempted murder of DJ Vintos.

Matlala, 49, is facing charges of attempted murder, money laundering, and possession of fraudulent documents, including allegedly ordering the 2023 hit on Tebogo Thobejane.

The investigation highlights a network of violent crimes spanning several years, raising concerns about internal misconduct within the JMPD and alleged corruption ties to criminal networks.