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2 days ago

Heated Trust Medium 65% #saps #crime-intelligence #corruption #lieutenant-general-munazi #ad-hoc-committee #parliament #allegation #tender-fraud #kat-matlala #general-khan #former-minister-bheki-cele

Brown Makoti Testifies Before Ad Hoc Committee on SAPS Corruption Allegations

Podcast Briefing 2:45

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Key Strategic Points

  1. 1 Makoti claims he has been a crime intelligence contact agent since 2009, registered in 2001 as an informant and dregistered in 2001, then re-registered as a contact agent in 2009, though no formal documentation exists in any crime intelligence database.
  2. 2 He alleges Lieutenant General Thabo Mununazi worked with the CIA to protect Israeli coal interests at Richards Bay, was involved in unlawful dismissals and arrests, and that all his suspects are killed in police encounters rather than receiving fair trials.
  3. 3 Makoti testified he traveled to Kenya in September 2024 to meet a source about CIA allegations, claiming he paid for the trip partly from his own pocket, though later admitting someone else paid 5,000 rand and traveled with him, but refusing to disclose either person's identity.
  4. 4 He recorded a conversation with a witness who claimed Major General Kumalo asked him to fabricate evidence against General Khan in a disciplinary hearing, which Makoti used to obtain a Section 252A authority and record the conversation.
  5. 5 Makoti admitted to accepting financial favors from businessman Kat Matlala, whom he was simultaneously investigating for tender irregularities, including R149,000 in event funding and accommodation payments, which committee members characterized as potential extortion.
  6. 6 Committee members challenged his credibility by highlighting that he provided unverified allegations against senior officials, requested classified information be declassified, and exchanged classified crime intelligence information with Matlala via WhatsApp.
  7. 7 Makoti disclosed he was charged with murder in 2010 when someone died during a physical altercation; the case was withdrawn due to lack of witness, though he pleaded not guilty and later mentioned applying for a plea of culpable homicide.
  8. 8 Multiple committee members questioned whether his handler actually exists, noting his previous handler was killed in 2023, and he refused to identify his current handler, claiming it would endanger the person, despite having previously disclosed the deceased handler's name.

Notable Quotes

“I'm a small businessman doing catering, food production, and operating liquor outlets. As a crime intelligence contact agent since 2009, I obtained information and gave it to my handler, who reported to higher authorities.”

— Brown Makoti, alleged crime intelligence contact agent

“A contact agent is different from an undercover agent. The handler gives you assignments, you identify sources, build a network of informants, and report back. An informant doesn't have a file, but a contact agent does, kept by the handler.”

— Brown Makoti

“The reason Lieutenant General Kumalo and General Lushaba would fabricate these affidavits is because my investigation led to the discovery that what was claimed as a housebreaking was actually not a housebreaking, and they needed to discredit me.”

— Brown Makoti

“How can you ask for financial favors from a person you are investigating? The only possibility is that you are extorting this guy for money.”

— Honourable Member MMA

“Mr. Makoti, you remind me of Mr. Matlala. You've watched too many movies, and your whole life has become a story—not a convincing one. You're here because other people have fingered you, not to help us get information.”

— Honourable Member (prosecutor for 30 years)

“You are comfortable with being in trouble with the law. Your criminal record includes assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, defeating the ends of justice, reckless driving. You're an old skelum.”

— Honourable Member Mkhuleko Hlongwane

“It's not that I don't want to give information; it's that the evidence leader said the information is classified. I've requested the committee possibly after this session allow me to submit evidence to the chairperson if it's not public.”

— Brown Makoti

“You say you are an agent of crime intelligence and there is a person committing a crime, speaking with you from prison on a cell phone, and you are not reporting it? How do you justify that scenario?”

— Honourable Member Nhlanhla Dlamini

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