Ramaphosa breaks silence on former adviser’s Madlanga Commission notice

The Madlanga Commission has 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.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said his former political adviser, Bejani Chauke, will cooperate with the Madlanga Commission after receiving a Rule 10.6 notice requiring him to account for WhatsApp conversations with the late taxi boss Jotham Mswazi Msibi.

This included exchanges reportedly containing sensitive state security information.

Ramaphosa addressed the matter on Monday after meeting Premier Soccer League chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza and chief executive Mato Madlala at the league's offices in Parktown.

“As regards to Dr Benjani Chauke, he will proceed to do what is required and all those matters will be dealt with… That’s all I can say,” Ramaphosa said.

Chauke has reportedly consulted his legal team over the notice. The conversations under scrutiny date back to 2022 and 2023.

The messages came under scrutiny after investigators extracted data from Msibi’s cellphone, uncovering alleged links between police personnel, private business interests and surveillance technology.

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

The equipment was allegedly intended for resale in 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 have raised questions about possible interference in criminal investigations as the commission examines alleged political interference in the justice system.

The inquiry has also heard testimony from retired Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, who said private investigator Paul O’Sullivan contacted him seeking an update on an investigation while claiming to be with Chauke, whom he described as his friend.