Madlanga Commission serves Ramaphosa’s former adviser over WhatsApp chats with late taxi boss Jotham Msibi

Former presidential political advisor Dr Bejani Chauke has been served with a notice by the Madlanga Commission to account for his WhatsApp chats with the late taxi boss Jotham Msibi.

The Madlanga Commission has reportedly served a former adviser to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Dr Bejani Chauke, with a notice requiring him to account for WhatsApp conversations with late taxi boss Jotham Mswazi Msibi, including messages concerning state security.

According to reports, Chauke has been consulting with his legal team on the matter.

The conversations reportedly date back to 2022 and 2023.

The chats came under scrutiny following the extraction of data from Msibi’s cellphone, which has exposed alleged links involving police personnel, private business interests and sensitive surveillance technology.

Among the allegations emerging from the data is that Msibi, jailed SAPS Sergeant Fannie Nkosi and private associates used fraudulent police credentials and official SAPS stamps to acquire cellphone interception and jamming equipment worth about R1 million from European suppliers.

The equipment was allegedly intended for resale to the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Other WhatsApp exchanges reportedly detail discussions involving senior legal and security figures about influencing prosecutions, including strategies to “close cases without any suspicions”.

The messages raise questions about possible interference in criminal investigations.

The developments come as the commission examines political interference in the justice system.

Meanwhile, Retired Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya testified that private investigator Paul O’Sullivan contacted him seeking an update on the probe while claiming to be with Chauke, who he described as his friend.

“When he phoned me, he said that he was sitting with his friend who's a doctor, and then I just need progress of the status of the case,” Lebeya told the commission.